House Speaker Paul Ryan Friday said Congress would quickly take up a spending bill to replenish a federal disaster relief fund that is fast being depleted by Hurricane Harvey.
“What we are going to have to do is fund some installments on this because we won’t fully know what all is needed for some time,” Ryan, R-Wis., told Wisconsin’s WCLO radio. “But what we do know is that the cash drain is fast, so we are going to have to do some quick response.”
Ryan said Congress is working with the Trump administration on legislation that can pass quickly which would replenish the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Disaster Relief Fund, which has about $2 billion left. According to a GOP aide, a standalone $6 billion measure will be considered next week when lawmakers return from the summer recess.
Ryan said more funding legislation would follow after “the larger assessment is done on what is going to be needed.” Some officials estimate more than $100 billion will be required to rehabilitate the flood-ravaged region.
