Congressman Cohen Commends Biden-Harris Emergency Response to Hurricane Helene

MEMPHIS - Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today commended the Biden-Harris Administration for its immediate and comprehensive response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in East Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina and Virginia. On September 27, shortly after Governor Lee submitted a request for a major disaster declaration, Congressman Cohen joined the Tennessee delegation in urging President Biden to swiftly approve the designation. The Biden Administration responded within hours with an emergency declaration, triggering necessary resources for the affected communities. Under an emergency declaration, FEMA provides direct federal support to states for life saving activities and other emergency protective measures, such as evacuation, sheltering, and search and rescue.

On Monday, Congressman assessed the response with this statement:

"The President and the Biden-Harris Administration are doing all they can to address the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene and its trail of destruction through five southeastern states. The Administration has made states eligible for immediate disaster assistance, which allows FEMA to provide support for urgent disaster response activities. I am saddened by the images from the affected areas and feel for those who have lost their loved ones, homes, businesses, and pets. At a time like this, the country should come together and rally behind a concerted bipartisan response to a national emergency, not find fallacious fault and absurdly cast blame over temporary delays for cynical and petty partisan score-keeping. I joined my Republican Tennessee Congressional colleagues Friday in seeking a disaster declaration. Although the disaster was not in my District, these were Tennesseans and Americans who needed help. Let's work together and cooperate in our response to this national disaster and forgo the opportunity to divide and mislead people for fleeting partisan gain."

# # #