Senators Tillis & Warnock Lead Bipartisan Effort for SE  Disaster Relief  Hurricanes Helene & Milton 

Storm Recovery -- October 19, 2024: In the wake of devastating hurricanes, a bipartisan group of senators, led by Senator

Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), has called on the White House to expedite a government funding request to cover the clean-up and recovery costs. The request aims to address the extensive damage caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which have impacted multiple states and left communities struggling to rebuild.

According to a recent press release, the senators emphasized the urgency of the situation, urging President Biden to take immediate action by submitting a formal funding request to Congress. The bipartisan group had previously advocated for Congress to reconvene during the October in-state work period to pass essential federal disaster relief legislation. With significant damages reported, the senators stressed that timely federal assistance is crucial for affected communities to recover.

In their letter to President Biden, the senators highlighted the staggering cost estimates of the damage caused by the hurricanes. Hurricane Helene's damage estimates range from $34 billion to $47 billion, covering a wide swath of the southeastern United States, including critical infrastructure, homes, and businesses. Similarly, Hurricane Milton has inflicted billions of dollars in damages, with assessments still underway in some regions. The letter underscored the need for federal aid to address the substantial economic and social challenges posed by these natural disasters.

Senator Tillis stated, "The devastation caused by these hurricanes has left countless families and communities in urgent need of support. It is our responsibility to ensure that the federal government provides the necessary resources to help them rebuild and recover."

Reverend Warnock echoed these sentiments, adding, "Natural disasters do not see political lines. We are united in our call for swift action to bring relief to those who have been affected by these storms. We must come together to ensure that the federal response is comprehensive and efficient."

The senators' call for action follows concerns that the current disaster relief funds may not be sufficient to address the full scope of the damage. They have also urged their colleagues in Congress to set aside partisan differences and prioritize the well-being of Americans affected by these devastating storms.

As the recovery process continues, the bipartisan coalition remains hopeful that their appeal will prompt the administration to take immediate steps in securing federal funds. The proposed relief would cover not only the clean-up efforts but also long-term recovery and rebuilding projects, aiming to restore the affected areas to pre-hurricane conditions.

In the wake of devastating hurricanes, a bipartisan group of senators, led by Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), has called on the White House to expedite a government funding request to cover the clean-up and recovery costs. The request aims to address the extensive damage caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which have impacted multiple states and left communities struggling to rebuild.

According to a recent press release, the senators emphasized the urgency of the situation, urging President Biden to take immediate action by submitting a formal funding request to Congress. The bipartisan group had previously advocated for Congress to reconvene during the October in-state work period to pass essential federal disaster relief legislation. With significant damages reported, the senators stressed that timely federal assistance is crucial for affected communities to recover.

In their letter to President Biden, the senators highlighted the staggering cost estimates of the damage caused by the hurricanes. Hurricane Helene's damage estimates range from $34 billion to $47 billion, covering a wide swath of the southeastern United States, including critical infrastructure, homes, and businesses. Similarly, Hurricane Milton has inflicted billions of dollars in damages, with assessments still underway in some regions. The letter underscored the need for federal aid to address the substantial economic and social challenges posed by these natural disasters.

Senator Tillis stated, "The devastation caused by these hurricanes has left countless families and communities in urgent need of support. It is our responsibility to ensure that the federal government provides the necessary resources to help them rebuild and recover."

Reverend Warnock echoed these sentiments, adding, "Natural disasters do not see political lines. We are united in our call for swift action to bring relief to those who have been affected by these storms. We must come together to ensure that the federal response is comprehensive and efficient."

The senators' call for action follows concerns that the current disaster relief funds may not be sufficient to address the full scope of the damage. They have also urged their colleagues in Congress to set aside partisan differences and prioritize the well-being of Americans affected by these devastating storms.

As the recovery process continues, the bipartisan coalition remains hopeful that their appeal will prompt the administration to take immediate steps in securing federal funds. The proposed relief would cover not only the clean-up efforts but also long-term recovery and rebuilding projects, aiming to restore the affected areas to pre-hurricane conditions.

WNCTimes

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