Speaker Mike Johnson stated Sunday that Congress will “do no matter is critical to cowl the wants of the folks” after Hurricane Helene and Milton, however that it could be “untimely” to come back again to Washington now earlier than assessing how a lot catastrophe reduction is required.
“What occurs after each storm is that the states should assess and calculate the precise wants, after which they undergo Congress that request,” Johnson stated throughout an interview with host Margaret Brennan on CBS’ “Face the Nation.” “As quickly as that’s completed, Congress will meet and in bipartisan trend, we’ll tackle these wants. We’ll present the extra assets.”
“However it could be untimely to name everybody again now, as a result of these storms are so giant of their scope and magnitude, it may take somewhat little bit of time to make these calculations,” the Louisiana Republican added.
Johnson stated that cash has already been allotted to storm victims to satisfy their fast wants and that as of this morning, two p.c of these funds had been distributed. However he stated as for Congress passing further assets to rebuild and refund the world, that may first require extra calculations. He added that Congress permitted $20 billion to FEMA the day earlier than Helene hit.
Congress is at present not scheduled to be again in session till after the election.
Afterward the identical program, Secretary of the Division of Homeland Safety Alejandro Mayorkas stated that Congress might want to come again to fund FEMA however at present there may be sufficient cash for people impacted by the hurricanes. However he inspired Congress to return, particularly since extra storms might be on the best way.
“FEMA has the cash to handle the fast wants of people impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, however we want Congress to behave swiftly to fund FEMA and particularly its Catastrophe Aid Fund, as a result of hurricane season just isn’t over,” Mayorkas stated.
Johnson additionally stated the Biden administration must act faster in getting the present funds to hurricane victims.
“Persons are hurting and I have been on the bottom in essentially the most affected catastrophe areas, Florida, North Carolina, they really want the assistance,” Johnson stated.
Mayorkas pushed again on claims of delays, saying the Biden administration has already distributed over $470 million in reduction to hurricane victims even because it tries to find out who wants assist.
“Assessing the injury from Hurricane Milton, which is of historic energy, and it additionally led to roughly 27 totally different tornadoes, so we do not know the influence,” Mayorkas stated. “We do not know what’s coming tomorrow. Whether or not it is one other hurricane, a twister, a hearth, an earthquake.”
He added, “Now we have to be prepared, and it isn’t good authorities to be depending on a day-to-day existence versus acceptable planning.”
