Chairman Frelinghuysen's Statement on Emergency Supplemental Funding for Hurricane Florence

Statement

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen made the following statement on legislation containing emergency supplemental funding to help in the recovery efforts from Hurricane Florence, which was introduced Saturday as H.R 302.

The bill provides $1.68 billion for the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Community Development Fund for the Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) programs. This funding will support recovery efforts from catastrophic wind and flooding damage caused by Hurricane Florence, including resources to rebuild housing, infrastructure, and assistance to local businesses as they recover from damage caused by the hurricane.

"Congress stands with our neighbors affected by this terrible storm, and we extend our deepest sympathies to those who have lost their homes, their livelihoods, and their loved ones," Chairman Frelinghuysen said. "This legislation will provide a first round of assistance for the residents who must rebuild their homes, businesses, and lives in the wake of this disaster.
"The Appropriations Committee continues to monitor the damage caused by Hurricane Florence, particularly as the flood waters continue to rise. While the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has sufficient funds with which to respond to this disaster, we are prepared to take swift action to provide what more may be needed. I commend the first responders, FEMA, and other federal agencies who are working quickly to support the affected communities."

The funding in this legislation will be provided as block grants to states, and will not duplicate funds provided by FEMA, the Small Business Administration, or private insurance.

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