House Speaker Mike Johnson has stated that he will not call Congress back into session early to expedite emergency funding for hurricane victims, citing the need to calculate the actual damages before allocating funds. Congress is scheduled to reconvene on Nov. 12, following Election Day. President Joe Biden recently requested $1.6 billion in federal funding for the Small Business Administration’s disaster loan program, which is at risk of running out of funds due to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and the impending Hurricane Milton.
Hurricane Helene caused extensive damage in states such as North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and Georgia, prompting Biden to urge Congress to act quickly to provide financial assistance. Despite warnings of a potential shortfall in funding, Johnson criticized the federal government’s response to Helene as a “massive failure.” He highlighted that Congress had allocated $20 million to FEMA before the storm hit to address immediate needs, but Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has stated that additional funding is required to sustain FEMA operations through the end of hurricane season on Nov. 30.
While addressing concerns that storm victims may not receive adequate assistance, Johnson reassured the public that Congress is committed to helping those affected by natural disasters. He emphasized that there is no need for concern regarding meeting the needs of individuals living in disaster-prone areas. However, critics have questioned the delay in approving emergency funding and have called for a more immediate response to the devastation caused by recent hurricanes.
Despite calls for swift action, Johnson defended the decision not to bring Congress back into session early, arguing that time is needed to assess the extent of the damages caused by the hurricanes. He stressed the importance of accurately calculating the costs before distributing funds to ensure that resources are allocated effectively. With Hurricane Milton predicted to make landfall as a Category 4 storm on Florida’s Gulf Coast, the urgency to provide assistance to affected communities has intensified.
As the debate over emergency funding continues, the federal government faces mounting pressure to address the needs of hurricane victims in a timely manner. While Johnson’s decision to wait until after the election to reconvene Congress may delay the approval of additional funding, he remains confident that there is enough time to assess the damages and provide the necessary support. The response to the devastation caused by recent hurricanes highlights the challenges of responding to natural disasters and the importance of preparedness and timely intervention in ensuring the well-being of affected communities.
