Press Releases

LOWELL, MA – Yesterday, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) joined Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) and 60 of their colleagues in urging House Speaker Mike Johnson to bring the U.S. House of Representatives back into session to approve necessary funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) to fulfill their Hurricane Helene and Milton relief missions. Government funding legislation passed in September provided initial relief funds but falls critically short of what will be necessary to address the scale of destruction and the recovery needs for Fiscal Year 2025.

“We write to you amidst a season marked by unprecedented natural disasters and increasingly severe weather events that have left communities across our nation in dire need of additional and comprehensive disaster relief funding,” the lawmakers wrote. “The funds previously allocated were a necessary first step, allowing for an initial response to the immediate aftermath of these disasters. However, as recovery efforts continue, it is abundantly clear that these funds will not suffice.”

“As representatives of the American people, it is our duty to ensure that every community has the resources to recover and rebuild in the wake of devastation. This is not merely a matter of policy but a profound obligation to the citizens we serve, who depend on their government for support in their most critical times of need,” the lawmakers continued. “Therefore, we strongly urge you to bring the US House of Representatives back into session to approve the necessary funding that will empower FEMA and the SBA to fulfill their disaster relief missions. Our communities cannot wait, and we must act swiftly to provide them with the assurance that their government will stand by them.”

Other signers of the letter include Representatives Kathy Manning (NC-06), Jared Moskowitz (FL-23), Dina Titus (NV-01), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01)  Nanette Barragan (CA-44), Don Beyer (VA-08), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Yadira Caraveo (CO-08), Troy Carter (LA-02), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Gerry Connolly (VA-11), Lou Correa (CA-46), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Angie Craig (MN-02), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Jason Crow (CO-06), Diana Degette (CO-01), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-00), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Barbara Lee (CA-12), Mike Levin (CA-49), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Wiley Nickel (NC-13), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Katie Porter (CA-45), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Kim Schrier (WA-08), Bobby Scott (VA-03), Eric Sorensen (IL-17), Darren Soto (FL-09), Abigail Spanberger (VA-07), Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Tom Suozzi (NY-03), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Emilia Sykes (Oh-13), Mark Takano (CA-39), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), Maxine Waters (CA-43), Jennifer Wexton (VA-10), Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24).

A copy of the letter sent yesterday can be found by clicking HERE. Text of the letter is embedded below.

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Dear Speaker Johnson,

We write to you amidst a season marked by unprecedented natural disasters and increasingly severe weather events that have left communities across our nation in dire need of additional and comprehensive disaster relief funding.

Recent legislation has provided initial relief funds, yet these provisions fall critically short of what will be necessary to address the scale of destruction and the recovery needs for Fiscal Year 2025. We, therefore, urge you to immediately reconvene the US House of Representatives so that it can pass robust disaster relief funding.

The funds previously allocated were a necessary first step, allowing for an initial response to the immediate aftermath of these disasters. However, as recovery efforts continue, it is abundantly clear that these funds will not suffice.

Furthermore, the frequency and intensity of these extreme weather events are a clarion call for proactive measures. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) must be equipped not only to respond to current disasters but also to adequately prepare for future events. This requires substantial funding that ensures FEMA can maintain a state of readiness and provide immediate assistance when disasters strike. Additionally, the Small Business Administration disaster relief loan program must be replenished as soon as possible to help business owners rebuild their enterprises and communities.

As representatives of the American people, it is our duty to ensure that every community has the resources to recover and rebuild in the wake of devastation. This is not merely a matter of policy but a profound obligation to the citizens we serve, who depend on their government for support in their most critical times of need.

Therefore, we strongly urge you to bring the US House of Representatives back into session to approve the necessary funding that will empower FEMA and the SBA to fulfill their disaster relief missions. Our communities cannot wait, and we must act swiftly to provide them with the assurance that their government will stand by them.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. We hope for your leadership in reconvening the House and ensuring that our nation is prepared to meet the challenges posed by natural disasters.

Sincerely,

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