House Finalizes Hurricane Aid Bill

Oct 15, 2004
By: Cindy Warren

House Finalizes Hurricane Aid Bill

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Bill Young (R-10-St. Petersburg) Tuesday night introduced a bill (HR 5212) identical to the White Houses entire pending $11 billion emergency spending request. House GOP leaders plan to send the bill to the floor this afternoon.

Congress granted the administration $2 billion (PL108-303) Sept. 6 in the aftermath of Hurricane Charley, and the White House subsequently asked for another $10.2 billion $3.1 billion on Sept. 14 and $7.1 billion on Sept. 27 to cover the costs of hurricanes Frances, Ivan and Jeanne. The Administration made several additions to their request after Rep. Young identified further needs as a result of Hurricane Jeanne and Ivan.

GOP leaders still intend to attach the hurricane relief funding to the fiscal 2005 Homeland Security spending bill (HR4567) now in conference, with the intention of clearing the package later this week. Congressional leaders are aiming to adjourn by the end of the week and will return after the November election for a lame duck session to take care of unfinished business.

Meanwhile, the Senate continues to press for disaster aid for drought-stricken Midwestern farmers, something top House Republicans have so far resisted. With a stand-alone vote on a hurricane aid bill, House GOP leaders intend to underscore their desire that no additional spending be added to the package.

The attached press release from Rep. Young provides a summary of how the House bill allocates disaster relief funding. (http://www.fha.org/protected/05hurrsupp.doc)