As officials respond to the many natural disasters in the US, President Joe Biden has sought additional funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Disaster Relief Fund.
On Thursday, the same day that President Biden visited FEMA headquarters, he asked Congress for $4 billion in additional funding. This is in addition to the $12 billion previously requested by the White House.
“Given the intensity of disaster activity across the country — including fires across Maui, Louisiana, and across the country; massive flooding in Vermont; and now a major hurricane hitting Florida and the Southeast — the administration is seeking an additional $4 billion.” FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund is doing it,” a spokeswoman for the Office of Budget and Management said on behalf of the White House.
FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund is used to provide immediate assistance to state and local governments during major disasters. The fund also helps repair infrastructure and provides financial assistance to eligible disaster survivors.
While visiting FEMA headquarters, President Biden urged Congress to pass the funding request immediately.
“Every American hopes that FEMA will step in in the midst of a disaster,” he said. “And I am calling on Congress to make sure that you are capable and that you have the resources to meet and meet the needs of the American people to deal with the immediate crises that we are facing now. Maui and We have to make long-term commitments to get the work done elsewhere.”
FEMA Administrator Dean Creswell said he believes FEMA has adequate funding for ongoing disaster responses following the Hawaii wildfires and Hurricane Idalia landfall. But he expressed concern as the hurricane season is not over yet.
“Every day, we’re looking at what these storms are costing us as we approach the end of this fiscal year. And if we do have another storm, we’re going to have to closely monitor what the impact is going to be and Otherwise we may have to take action,” he said.
According to data from the Congressional Budget Office, the amount of money spent by FEMA in response to major disasters can vary depending on the year.
For example, there was a huge increase in spending in 2005 when FEMA responded to Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma within weeks of each other. There were also huge increases in 2018 with Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, and again in 2020 and 2021 with COVID-19.