Janice R. Andrews
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) stated on CBS’s “Face the Nation” that additional hurricane aid for states affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton can be postponed until Congress reconvenes after the election. Johnson justified this delay, citing the recent $20 billion allocation to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) prior to the storms.
Johnson emphasized that this pre-storm funding should suffice for immediate disaster response needs. He noted that FEMA has only utilized a small fraction of these funds, suggesting that more efficient distribution is necessary before considering additional aid.
Despite Johnson’s stance, a bipartisan group of lawmakers is pushing for an earlier response. Senators, including Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and House members like Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), are calling for a special session to expedite aid.
FEMA officials have indicated that while current resources are adequate for disaster response, nearly half of the allocated funds have been expended. The agency’s ability to access fiscal 2025 resources early, thanks to a recent continuing resolution, provides temporary financial flexibility.
Johnson maintains that states need more time to complete damage assessments before requesting further aid. He advocates for a bipartisan approach once comprehensive data is available, stating, “As soon as that is done, Congress will meet, and we will address those needs.”
The Speaker views reconvening Congress before the election as premature, preferring to wait until November to address any additional hurricane relief funding.
