Sens. Thom Tillis and Ted Budd are leading a push by federal lawmakers to pass an appropriations package to support those affected by the impact of Helene. This follows a visit by the senators and other federal lawmakers on Tuesday, touring the destruction of Hurricane Helene. 

“After surveying the hurricane damage in Western North Carolina yesterday, it’s clear more federal resources are needed to access cutoff communities, clear roads and structures, purify water, and provide food for those impacted,” There is no time to waste,” said Budd in an X post on Wednesday. “Let’s cut the red tape at every level – federal, state, and local – and help people help their neighbors.”

Sen. Tillis’ office also weighed in. 

 “While the top focus right now is on supporting rescue operations and ensuring the safety of everyone in harm’s way, Senator Tillis will be aggressively pursuing federal long-term assistance for families and communities left devastated from the flooding,” Adam Webb, communications director for Tillis, told the Carolina Journal. “They need to be made whole again. Senator Tillis previously led efforts to secure billions of dollars of long-term federal recovery assistance in the aftermath of Hurricanes Matthew and Florence, and we will do so again for the victims of Helene.”

Tillis and Budd led their colleagues in sending a letter to the Senate majority and minority leaders and the Senate Committee on Appropriations leadership. 

“Even preliminary damage assessments indicate that, at a minimum, the total damage and economic loss will be in the tens of billions of dollars,” wrote the senators. “This amount will likely soar as recovery efforts continue and the full picture of this ruinous disaster becomes clear. Although the true level of devastation is still unfolding, it is clear that Congress must act to meet the unmet needs in our states and address the scope and scale of destruction experienced by our constituents.” 

North Carolina was not the only state impacted. The damage extends to Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, and Virginia. Lawmakers even indicated that this could require Congress to reconvene in October to ensure sufficient time to enact legislation before the calendar year ends.  

Daniel Llargués, a FEMA spokesperson, said on Tuesday that the agency is in a “good position” to respond to the hurricane’s aftermath, reported Roll Call. The agency lifted “immediate needs funding (INF),” which diverts available funds to the highest priorities. If the INF status is lifted, the agency could tap newly available funding worth $8 billion in long-term relief projects that date back to prior disasters. 

The agency received $20.3 billion on Tuesday (the first day of FY25) under the stopgap funding bill President Biden signed last week. The bill expires on December 20th, which is also Congress’ anticipated adjournment date for the session. 

“A House GOP leadership aide said the $20 billion will likely last until January and that it would take at least 30 days before a full damage assessment is complete, giving lawmakers plenty of time to act after the elections,” reported Roll Call. 

Despite this funding, many lawmakers are pushing to reconvene in October to pass an early aide package. Other lawmakers pushing this include Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-SC, Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., and Rep. Mike Lawler, R-NY.