Biden asks Congress for nearly $100 billion in emergency disaster aid

President Joe Biden on Monday requested nearly $100 billion in emergency disaster aid from Congress to address the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, as well as other recent natural disasters.

The president’s letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, emphasized the urgency of the request as Biden said he has met firsthand with those harmed by the storms and heard what residents and businesses needed from the government.

“Additional resources are critical to continue to support these communities,” Biden said.

Breakdown of the Funding Request

The proposal directs the bulk of the funding—$40 billion—to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) disaster relief fund. These resources are vital for debris removal, infrastructure repair and direct financial assistance to disaster survivors.

Biden warned that without immediate funding, FEMA could face a budget shortfall, thus jeopardizing recovery efforts and slowing recovery efforts from prior disasters.

Key allocations in the request also include $24 billion for agricultural aid to compensate farmers for crop and livestock losses; $12 billion for community recovery through block grants administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development; $8 billion for highway and bridge repairs across more than 40 states and territories; and $4 billion go toward long-term water system upgrades to mitigate future disaster impacts.

Additional funds would support a range of federal agencies tasked with disaster recovery and prevention.

Congressional Response and Challenges

While lawmakers are poised to review the proposal, Biden’s appeal arrives during a politically charged lame-duck session to finish key priorities before the incoming Trump administration.

Johnson acknowledged the significance of the request, vowing to “deliver for the hurricane victims and the people that have suffered from that.”

However, with many Republicans focused on reducing federal spending, debates over the scale and scope of the funding are anticipated.

Historically, Congress has approved substantial disaster aid, including over $90 billion following Hurricane Katrina and $50 billion after Hurricane Sandy.

While the federal government doesn’t help with every disaster as it generally gets involved only if the needs are above the ability of a community or state to handle, Biden urged lawmakers to act with similar resolve.

“Just as the Congress acted then, it is our sworn duty now to deliver the necessary resources to ensure that everyone in communities reeling from Hurricanes Helene and Milton—and those still recovering from previous disasters—have the Federal resources they need and deserve,” Biden wrote.

Next Steps

The Senate Appropriations Committee is set to hold hearings on Wednesday with government agency leaders to discuss the funding request.

Lawmakers may integrate the emergency aid into broader spending bills designed to keep federal agencies operating after current funding expires December 20.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.