Last week, Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-D5, led federal lawmakers in urging the Biden administration to remove federal barriers and streamline rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Helene.

“Western North Carolina, as well as all states affected by Hurricane Helene, do not have the time to wade through a bog of federal regulations to rebuild their communities,” Foxx told the Carolina Journal. “The clock is ticking, and we cannot allow precious seconds, minutes, and hours to be lost during recovery efforts. The federal government can and should remove as many barriers as possible – and fast.”

Federal lawmakers sent a letter last week to President Biden, US Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administrator Deanne Criswell, US Department of Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator Michael Regan. The letter urges the administration to remove as many federal barriers as possible to streamline the process of rebuilding in areas impacted by Helene.

“We write to demand in the strongest possible terms your support for communities devastated by Hurricane Helene by providing as much leniency as possible for federal requirements and regulations when communities rebuild, replace, or relocate structures,” wrote lawmakers. “As early reports suggest, many communities have experienced once-in-a-generation flooding in North Carolina…During this challenging time, the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act should be interpreted as loosely as possible, so the federal government provides support not interference in the recovery effort.”

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Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-D11, whose district was majorly impact by the storm, is also leading the push to reduce government barriers.

“As Western North Carolina recovers from the worst natural disaster in our mountains, we need the federal government to work for, not against, citizens by making sure that bureaucratic red tape does not interfere the monumental task ahead of rebuilding homes and businesses,” Edward told the Carolina Journal. Now is the time for agencies like FEMA and EPA to serve the American people by supporting those whose lives have been uprooted and are working to rebuild from the ground up.”

Rep. Greg Murphy, R-D3, was among several federal lawmakers representing North Carolina who signed the letter.

“The immense damage that Hurricane Helene has wrought in the region risks permanent disruption to the livelihoods of folks there,” said Murphy. “Response efforts in Western North Carolina should not be limited by bureaucracy. We must continue to ensure our federal agencies work efficiently throughout the entire recovery process.”

Congressman Dan Bishop, R-D8, also signed the letter.

“This is a simple request – we need the government to support, not hinder, the recovery effort in North Carolina,” Bishop told the Carolina Journal. “When red tape gets in the way of disaster relief, it’s a government failure and should be swiftly remedied.”

According to the letter, on September 26, President Biden issued an Emergency Declaration for the Emergency states, including North Carolina.

“This declaration allows the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate all disaster relief efforts caused by this emergency,” concluded the letter. “To maximize the support the federal government can provide, it should be the policy of FEMA and the Environmental Protection Agency to remove as many barriers as possible.”

Multiple federal lawmakers, including seven from North Carolina, signed the letter in support of streamlining recovery efforts..