Rep. Hultgren Supports Disaster Relief Legislation

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12 -- Rep. Randy Hultgren, R-Ill., issued the following news release:

U.S. Representative Randy Hultgren (IL-14) today supported House passage of $36.5 billion in emergency supplemental disaster relief legislation for urgent, short-term, immediate needs related to recovery from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, and wildfires in the western United States. The legislation fully funds White House requests and improves accountability by including strong reporting and other oversight requirements. In total (including this legislation), Congress will have provided an additional $51.75B in emergency funding for disaster response and recovery.

"Families and small business owners in Puerto Rico and in Florida, California, Texas and other states are suffering from terrible natural disasters. These needy families facing a true emergency need relief so they can rebuild their lives following unforeseen catastrophe. This legislation provides that relief," said Rep. Hultgren. "In addition, I urge the House to pursue meaningful flood insurance reform to ensure this program remains available in the future to Americans who need it. We must stand up for taxpayers who deserve responsible management of their hard-earned dollars."

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

* $18.67 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) to provide critical funding to assist the ongoing federal response to hurricanes and continue life-saving response and recovery efforts.

* $13.77 billion is assistance to states and localities for emergency protection, debris removal, repair and restoration of public infrastructure, and financial assistance to eligible disaster survivors.

* $4.9 billion of the total authorizes funds to provide Community Disaster Loans (CDLs) as a result of Harvey, Irma, or Maria. These will provide funding to continue municipal services, such as police and fire protection, trash collection and operation of school systems.

Puerto Rico - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

* Allows Puerto Rico to receive the same emergency Disaster Nutrition Assistance Program (DNAP) benefits that other states receive with a one-time amount of $1.27 billion.

Wildfires

* Continues heroic, life-saving wildfire suppression activities by providing $576.5M for the Departments of Agriculture and the Interior as fires continue to rage in the western United States.

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)

* Ensures existing claim obligations are met as Americans recover and rebuild from devastating flooding by providing $16 billion in funding. Recent hurricanes have caused projected losses, and the program is scheduled to exhaust its financial resources fully by the end of October.

Rep. Hultgren, a member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, has fought hard to reform NFIP so it's available in the future and protects taxpayers from repeated bailouts, including through letters in local newspapers (https://hultgren.house.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/letter-to-the-editor-congress-must-continue-national-flood-insurance-program) and hearings on Capitol Hill (https://hultgren.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/flood-insurance-must-protect-homeowners-and-taxpayers-alike-says-hultgren).