Senator Reverend Warnock Champions Bipartisan Push for Quick Passage of Disaster Relief Legislation

Senator Reverend Warnock is urging congressional leadership to act urgently to meet needs of Georgians and Americans impacted by Hurricane Helene

Effort follows Senator Reverend Warnock's previous push to congressional leadership to ensure disaster relief resources are made available to agricultural producers following the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene

ICYMI: Senator Reverend Warnock Meets with Community Leaders, Surveys Damage in Augusta Following Hurricane Helene

Senator Reverend Warnock and lawmakers: "Although the true level of devastation is still unfolding, it is clear that Congress must act to meet the unmet needs in our states and address the scope and scale of destruction experienced by our constituents. This may even require Congress to come back in October to ensure we have enough time to enact legislation before the end of this calendar year"

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and 11 of his colleagues made a bipartisan push urging Senate leadership to quickly pass supplemental government funding legislation to support the millions of Georgians and Americans affected by Hurricane Helene. In a letter to addressed to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Appropriations Chair Patty Murray (D-WA), and Senate Appropriations Vice Chair Susan Collins (R-ME), Senator Warnock and his colleagues lamented the loss of life across the southeast, destruction of communities, and ongoing impacts following Hurricane Helen's landfall as recovery efforts continue. In the letter, Senator Warnock and his colleagues also indicated that Congress may need to return into session in October to ensure enough time to enact disaster relief legislation this year.

"The devastation from Hurricane Helene across the southeastern United States is simply inconceivable…Because of a lack of cell service, we anticipate even greater tragedy to unfold in the days and weeks ahead as communications and power are restored and we can understand the full scope of this disaster," Senator Warnock and his colleagues wrote.

"Even preliminary damage assessments indicate that, at a minimum, the total damage and economic loss will be in the tens of billions of dollars. This amount will likely soar as recovery efforts continue and the full picture of this ruinous disaster becomes clear," Senator Warnock and his colleagues continued.

The letter was led by U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) and, in addition to Senator Warnock, was signed by U.S. Senators Ted Budd (R-NC), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Tim Scott (R-SC), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Rick Scott (R-FL), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Tim Kaine (D-VA).

Senator Warnock has been a vocal proponent for additional disaster aid and resources for Georgians, including successfully passing legislation strengthening funding for Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Small Business Administration to address storm damage.

Text of the full letter is available HERE.

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