Scott, Rubio, Colleagues Announce Bill to Replenish Disaster Relief Fund

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) announced legislation to replenish the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) following Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton’s damage to South Carolina and neighboring southeastern states. The senators’ legislation would appropriate $20 billion to the dwindling FEMA Disaster Relief Fund, which is intended to assist individuals, households, states, and non-federal government entities with recovery following a natural disaster.

“Hurricane Helene brought a level of devastation we haven’t seen since Hugo. In South Carolina alone, the storm claimed 49 lives and left over a million without power. When any state experiences a natural disaster of this magnitude, Congress has a responsibility to step up and do its job,” said Senator Tim Scott. “Communities back home and in surrounding states have come together to recover, but it will take every possible effort to get us back to where we were.”

“Unfortunately, this is a hurricane season no one will soon forget. The Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) is the front line for states, and our constituents, to receive support in the aftermath of natural disasters. While assessments of the full extent of these storms are underway, the DRF cannot be allowed to be depleted. I am proud to announce my colleagues and I will be introducing a bill to provide additional funding to support communities affected by the recent hurricanes,” said Senator Marco Rubio.

“Americans help Americans. FEMA needs resources to help those impacted by Hurricanes Milton, Helene, and Francine. Related to this, I will continue working to make flood insurance affordable again,” said Senator Bill Cassidy.

“It is alarming that FEMA has spent almost half of its disaster fund, and there are still weeks left in hurricane season. Congress must take action to ensure critical agencies have sufficient resources to help those impacted by natural disasters recover while also maintaining long-term rebuilding projects,” said Senator John Cornyn.

“I’ve been on the ground in Florida surveying damage and talking to Floridians for weeks as our state prepared for and now responds to and recovers from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. What’s clear is that Florida families and businesses need their federal government to show up where they are and help them get back on their feet. This bill, providing $20 billion for FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund, will ensure that the agency has what it needs to provide immediate aid to folks in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, the Carolinas and other states impacted by disasters while our local communities determine their needs from FEMA, SBA, USDA and other federal agencies. The federal government’s response to hurricanes over the last two years has left too many Floridians, especially our farmers, hurting and with unmet needs. Unfortunately, I am already hearing from local officials and families in Florida that are frustrated by the fact that these disasters have stretched FEMA’s current resources too thin. That is unacceptable. No state is immune from disasters and I hope that none of our colleagues in the Senate will object to the quick passage of this needed funding. Even with this bill, I continue to urge Majority Leader Schumer to bring back the Senate to fully fund other disaster relief functions at the SBA and USDA block grants, and I’m glad that, in my conversations with President Biden, he has completely agreed with me on the need to get this done. While Floridians are incredibly resilient and will rebuild stronger than ever, it’s going to be an all hands on deck effort at the local, state and federal level to come together and support these communities. I’m going to keep fighting like hell to deliver the federal resources Floridians need to recover,” said Senator Rick Scott.

Senators Scott and Rubio were joined by Senators Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), and John Cornyn (R-Texas).

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