Rep. Curbelo Issues Statement on House Passage of Disaster Relief Funding

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12 -- Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., issued the following statement on House passage of disaster relief funding:

"Since Hurricane Irma hit earlier last month, hard-working Americans in my home state of Florida, and specifically many of my constituents in the Florida Keys, have been working around the clock to get their communities, businesses and homes up and running after the storm's 130 mile per hour winds and significant storm surge. Many lost everything they owned, and some even lost their lives. This community has been doing what is needed to help their own, and today Congress did its part to help our fellow Americans in my district, and in similar communities throughout my home state of Florida, in Texas, Louisiana, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

"While this bill is not perfect, it will do a lot of good. We are fulfilling our obligation to critical programs like the Small Business Administration, which is helping fishermen in my district who lost all their traps, rebuild their livelihoods, Disaster Relief Funding, which is providing life-saving and essential aid to our fellow American citizens in Puerto Rico, and Community Development Block Grants, which will provide my constituents in Monroe County with funds to address a wide range of unique community needs. We're also ensuring the National Flood Insurance Program can meet its obligations while Americans in Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands recover and rebuild.

"This is yet another important step in providing funding for disaster cleanup. More will need to be done as we further survey the damage and hear the needs of our constituents, but I'm proud of today's action and I look forward to this second portion of funding being dispersed directly to those who need it most. I will continue working with the Florida Delegation and our friends in Puerto Rico to craft future spending packages for those recovering from these devastating storms."

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The House adopted the Amendment to Senate Amendment to H.R. 2266 - Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act by a vote of 359-69. It is now expected to be considered by the Senate.

Curbelo has been a strong advocate for his district and other communities affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, especially during the recent debate of a tax relief package for hurricane survivors and immediately after Hurricane Irma when he called for robust disaster relief funding.