Calls for Congress to Return to Washington to Address Hurricane Relief Funding Crisis
There is a new wave of urgency sweeping through Congress as multiple members from hurricane-ravaged states call for immediate action to address the growing costs and depletion of funds from the U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loan program in the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Rep. Wally Nickel, a first-term Democrat from North Carolina, expressed his frustration with Congress remaining in recess while families and businesses in North Carolina and beyond are in urgent need of assistance. He emphasized the importance of providing support to small businesses as they strive to rebuild and recover from the devastation caused by the hurricanes.
Congress has been on a break through the middle of November, with the entire U.S. House and a significant portion of the Senate focused on reelection campaigns. Despite mounting pressure from lawmakers, congressional leaders have resisted calls for action on the loan funds before the election.
The U.S. Small Business Administration recently announced that it had exhausted the available funds in its disaster loan program, which is vital for businesses and homeowners affected by natural disasters. CBS News reported earlier this month that the agency had warned legislators about the potential drain on funds caused by the hurricanes and urged Congress to approve additional funding promptly.
As a result of the fund depletion, the Small Business Administration has paused new loan offers for its direct, low-interest, long-term loans to disaster survivors. The agency continues to encourage victims to apply for loans with the assurance that Congress will provide additional funding upon their return in November.
Sen. Rick Scott, a Florida Republican, has been proactive in pushing for the reconvening of the Senate to address the needs of agencies like the Small Business Administration. He has engaged in discussions with the agency to assess the damage and determine the necessary steps to support his constituents.
Rep. Jared Moskowitz, a Florida Democrat and former state emergency manager, criticized Congress for failing to address the dwindling funds in the disaster loan program before the recess. He highlighted the high volume of applications for disaster loans following the hurricanes and stressed the need for immediate action to rectify the situation.
Speaker Mike Johnson’s office did not respond to requests for comments on the possibility of Congress returning early to address the funding crisis. During an appearance on “Face the Nation,” Johnson defended Congress’s decision to wait until after the recess to assess the actual needs for supplemental disaster funding.
Johnson explained that Congress relies on states to provide accurate assessments of the damages before allocating funds accordingly. He emphasized that FEMA already had significant resources at its disposal, with billions of dollars allocated just before Hurricane Helene made landfall.
The urgency to address the funding crisis for disaster relief has sparked a debate among lawmakers about the need for Congress to reconvene and take action before the scheduled return in November. The pressure is mounting on congressional leaders to prioritize the needs of hurricane-affected communities and ensure that essential funding is available to support recovery efforts.
As the calls for action grow louder, the fate of the disaster loan program and the availability of critical funding for small businesses and homeowners hang in the balance. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Congress will heed the urgent pleas of lawmakers and address the pressing needs of those affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
