50,000 signatures reached
To: House Speaker Mike Johnson, Congressional Leadership, Members of Congress
Congress: Come back into session & pass funding to FULLY support Hurricane Helene relief efforts NOW
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As you read this, our neighbors in Florida are fleeing and bracing for Hurricane Milton, one of the strongest hurricanes ever recorded in the Atlantic, which hit 180 mph sustained winds on Monday. And communities in the southeastern parts of the country that were devastated and destroyed by Hurricane Helene are still reeling and recovering.
But the truth is, the Disaster Relief Fund, whose budget is set by Congress, "does not have the funds to make it through" the rest of the hurricane season. Despite the fact that Americans are suffering through the aftermath of being battered by a catastrophic hurricane, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said that "there's no rush for Congress to approve hurricane relief." It's egregious, and there is zero time to waste. There are lives and entire communities at stake.
But the truth is, the Disaster Relief Fund, whose budget is set by Congress, "does not have the funds to make it through" the rest of the hurricane season. Despite the fact that Americans are suffering through the aftermath of being battered by a catastrophic hurricane, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson said that "there's no rush for Congress to approve hurricane relief." It's egregious, and there is zero time to waste. There are lives and entire communities at stake.
When natural disasters like Hurricane Milton and Helene strike, residents need to know that their government and community have their back. Will you sign the petition to demand that Congress return to pass disaster relief funding NOW?
Why is this important?
Congress has the power to make sure that our neighbors in states impacted by category 4 Hurricane Helene and incoming Hurricane Milton get the funding needed for rescue efforts to save lives, basic necessities like water, food, and prescriptions, and rebuilding their communities, homes, roads, businesses, and infrastructure. Congress is currently out of session through November 12, but relief can't wait. So we have to come together to make sure they return and get it done—because hundreds of thousands of impacted people are counting on the lifesaving resources that Congress can deliver.
Just last week, Congress passed a bill that would fund the government through December, but despite forecasted hurricanes and wildfires raging, it left out billions of dollars that were requested for supplemental disaster funding—which would’ve been available now to communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Just last week, Congress passed a bill that would fund the government through December, but despite forecasted hurricanes and wildfires raging, it left out billions of dollars that were requested for supplemental disaster funding—which would’ve been available now to communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Frustrated by underfunded disaster relief, Representative Kathy Castor of Florida said, “The right-wingers here, the MAGA crowd, even after disasters happen, they have opposed disaster aid for communities in need.” It's completely unacceptable.
FEMA’s disaster relief fund is already depleted and is currently at a nearly $2 BILLION deficit, forcing them to hold back billions of dollars in rebuilding projects to support more lifesaving work.6 But this was avoidable. FEMA should have the funding it needs to provide relief to our communities, which are enduring one climate catastrophe after another.
Disaster funding should never be a partisan issue. Our communities that have been harmed by Hurricane Helene can’t wait until Congress is back in session in November; they need relief right now. Congress must come back and pass supplemental disaster funding NOW.
Will you sign the petition?
FEMA’s disaster relief fund is already depleted and is currently at a nearly $2 BILLION deficit, forcing them to hold back billions of dollars in rebuilding projects to support more lifesaving work.6 But this was avoidable. FEMA should have the funding it needs to provide relief to our communities, which are enduring one climate catastrophe after another.
Disaster funding should never be a partisan issue. Our communities that have been harmed by Hurricane Helene can’t wait until Congress is back in session in November; they need relief right now. Congress must come back and pass supplemental disaster funding NOW.
Will you sign the petition?