Sen. Kennedy Announces $17 Billion for FEMA Disaster Relief Fund

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 -- Sen. John Kennedy, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release:

Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released the following statement after the Senate passed a funding bill that adds $17 billion to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) disaster relief fund and extends the National Flood Insurance Program for a year.

"Louisiana is working hard to rebuild what Hurricane Laura ripped to shreds, and they shouldn't have to worry about whether the rest of the country is going to show up to help them.

"I've worked to ensure the disaster relief fund gets the increase needed to take care of people hurt by storms and people struggling under the coronavirus pandemic. Between the $17 billion infusion to the disaster relief fund and a full year's extension for flood insurance, Louisianians can take heart that the resources they need are there for them," said Kennedy.

Earlier this month, Kennedy introduced the Hurricane Laura Recovery Funding Act to increase FEMA's disaster relief fund, which funds the agency's recovery efforts.