On Tuesday, Sens. Thom Tillis and Ted Budd, Republicans representing North Carolina, joined several other senators in sending a letter to Senate leadership pushing for a vote on a federal disaster aid package this week. The senators want a quick response to the Biden administration’s supplemental funding request.
“The Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) request for $98 billion in supplemental disaster appropriations is an important first step toward securing the assistance our communities need,” reads the letter. “Major urban centers, such as Asheville, North Carolina, only received steady access to potable drinking water on November 18th, and major thoroughfares of commerce like Interstate 40 remain impassible and have sustained significant damage. Our constituents need immediate help as they work to rebuild their homes and communities. We have delayed too long already. We therefore request that Congress act immediately to provide for those in need. We stand ready to pass a supplemental disaster relief bill the first week of December.”
Last week, Gov. Roy Cooper led a delegation to Washington, D.C., requesting $25.57 billion in federal aid for Helene recovery support. Cooper met with President Biden, Tillis, Budd, and other Republican lawmakers.
Following Hurricane Helene, which devastated parts of North Carolina and other southeastern state, Tillis and Budd have been stepping up the pressure on the White House and FEMA for answers and action.
The senators called for the Biden administration to waive regulations and provide temporary housing to the victims of Hurricane Helene. They are also pressing to replenish the Small Business Administration’s Disaster Relief Fund.