More Hurricane Relief on the Way

On Tuesday, October 24, the Senate passed a second disaster relief supplemental.  This $36.5 billion aid package provides $18.67 billion for FEMA’s disaster relief fund, $1.27 billion in direct aid for low in-come Puerto Rico residents as part of the supplemental nutrition assistance program fund, $16 billion for the National Flood Insurance program to be used for debt forgiveness, and $576.5 million for wildfire suppression.
The measure has been sent to the White House where President Trump is expected to sign in the next few days.  This brings the total for Federal disaster relief from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria to $51.75 billion.  A third disaster relief bill is expected in November.  The Office of Management and Budget is planning to make the request but has not yet determined a dollar amount.  This next request is in response to concerns raised by the Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico delegations that still more money is needed to sustain recovery efforts.