The Trump administration on Wednesday sent a $29 billion request to aid hurricane recovery efforts and to combat recent wildfires in the west.
The bulk of the funding — $16 billion — is for “debt relief” for the insolvent national flood insurance program, which owes the Treasury more than $25 billion and is now dealing with hundreds of millions of dollars in new claims in the wake of three devastating hurricanes.
Another $12.8 billion will be dedicated to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster relief fund, which has been nearly depleted this summer.
The request includes $575.5 million for wildfire recovery.
House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen, R-N.J., said more money will be needed in addition to the $29 billion.
“The hundreds of thousands of people affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria have suffered enough,” he said in a statement. “Congress must provide whatever is necessary to get these families back on their feet and to rebuild their communities. This will be a long process, and this next round of funds certainly won’t be all that is needed. We will continue to monitor each disaster closely and will work to ensure that both short-term relief and long-term recovery funds are available and are being put to good use for those in need.”
The request comes a day after President Trump visited Puerto Rico, which was ravaged by Hurricane Maria and remains without power and water on most parts of the island.
House and Senate GOP leaders back the request and do not appear to be seeking offsets to pay for it.
“This funding request will ensure the men and women providing critical support to regions impacted by major disasters, including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Texas, and Florida will have the resources they need so they can continue their important work,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said.
