President Joe Biden has requested nearly $100 billion in federal aid to support communities devastated by recent hurricanes and other natural disasters. In a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson, Biden emphasized the urgent need for disaster relief funds to address widespread damage caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, as well as other disasters over the past two years.
The proposed aid package aims to rebuild essential infrastructure, such as schools and roads, and provide assistance to farmers, ranchers, and families affected by recent calamities. Biden described the funding as critical for maintaining access to healthcare services and supporting recovery in the hardest-hit areas. He urged Congress to act without delay, highlighting the dire consequences of funding shortages.
Biden’s request includes $40 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Disaster Relief Fund, which is facing a significant funding shortfall. The request also earmarks $24 billion for the Department of Agriculture to help farmers who lost crops and livestock, and $12 billion for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to support rebuilding efforts in more than 20 states and territories, including areas recovering from tornadoes and fires.
The Biden administration has highlighted the critical nature of the proposed funding, noting that the last comprehensive disaster aid package passed by Congress was in 2022. Since then, numerous storms, wildfires, and other disasters have stretched federal relief programs to their limits. Shalanda Young, director of the Office of Management and Budget, emphasized that Americans are “still picking up the pieces” from past catastrophes.
Biden’s appeal comes as political dynamics in Washington are in flux, with upcoming changes in leadership potentially complicating efforts to secure funding. However, key congressional figures have expressed openness to considering the request, particularly since much of the aid would benefit states represented by Republicans. Representative Tom Cole of Oklahoma expressed support after visiting an area hit hard by Hurricane Milton.
Biden pointed to past bipartisan efforts to fund disaster recovery, urging Congress to demonstrate the same unity shown after major disasters like Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Sandy.
With emergency programs facing funding shortages, Biden’s request seeks to secure resources needed for ongoing and future recovery efforts, helping Americans rebuild in the face of increasingly severe natural disasters.