He said more time is needed to assess and calculate the “scope and magnitude” of the storms.
House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana refused to call members of Congress back from recess early after some representatives from states impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton requested an early return to pass disaster relief.
The continuing resolution passed by Congress last month funded the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the present, though the funding may not be sufficient for long-term recovery operations. President Biden also claimed that the Small Business Administration will run out of funding for its disaster loan program before legislators reconvene.
Speaker Johnson said, “It can wait because remember… Congress appropriated $20 billion additional to FEMA so that they would have the necessary resources to address immediate needs.”
He added, “It would be premature to call everyone back now, because these storms are so large in their scope and magnitude, it’s going to take a little bit of time to make those calculations.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For wisdom for Speaker Johnson as he evaluates the status of funding for federal agencies in the wake of the hurricanes.
- For members of Congress as they campaign in the states and districts.
- For discernment for voters as they assess the candidates for federal, state, and local office.
Sources: Axios, Politico, Newsweek
