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Florida Congressional Delegation Pushes for Hurricane Relief Funding Approval in Washington
Florida Congressional Delegation Pushes for Hurricane Milton Relief Funding
Several members of Florida’s congressional delegation are urging Congress to reconvene in Washington to approve new funding for Hurricane Milton relief. This call for action comes in the aftermath of the devastating Category 3 hurricane that made landfall in Florida, leaving communities in urgent need of additional disaster relief funding.
Lawmakers representing regions severely impacted by Hurricane Milton have expressed their willingness to return to Washington and pass extra funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz, a former Florida Director of Emergency Management, co-led a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson along with several other Democratic representatives, urging for additional relief and sustainability funding for FEMA.
While some Republicans have voiced their support for additional funding, there is a divide between President Joe Biden’s administration and congressional leadership on the issue. While the President and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas believe FEMA needs more funding, Speaker Johnson has stated that current funds should be sufficient until a full assessment of the storm’s impact is completed.
Despite the political differences, lawmakers like U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee and U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan have expressed their commitment to ensuring that their constituents receive the necessary resources for recovery and rebuilding efforts. However, some lawmakers have faced criticism for their previous votes on spending deals, with opponents highlighting their past decisions in the context of the current relief efforts.
The push for additional FEMA funding has garnered bipartisan support, with lawmakers from both parties emphasizing the importance of providing resources to address the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. The question now remains whether Congress will reconvene to approve more relief dollars before the upcoming election, as communities continue to grapple with the devastating impact of the storm.
