Majority Leader Schumer Floor Remarks On The Need To Pass Disaster Relief As Soon As Possible

Washington, D.C. - Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor on the need for Congress to work in a bipartisan way to approve disaster relief funding and replenish vital aid programs. Below are Senator Schumer's remarks, which can also be viewed here:

Yesterday, President Biden sent Congress his request for a disaster aid package to replenish a number of vital programs that help Americans recover from natural disasters. The House and Senate should respond by working together to pass a strong disaster package as soon as possible. It's a priority for me, just as it is a priority for so many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle.

The Speaker said last month that House Republicans will focus on disaster aid when they returned this month to Congress. And yesterday, he said the House is taking a look at the president's request. That's good. I urge House Republicans to work quickly to review this request so we can begin formulating a package that delivers this critically needed assistance.

To put it mildly, federal disaster aid is currently running on fumes. It's a problem happening across the board: FEMA, SBA, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Transportation, and so many other agencies are running low on resources specifically aimed at helping battered communities rebuild.

One of the worst cases right now is the Small Business Administration's disaster loan program. This program is a lifeline for homeowners and small businesses who need help picking up the pieces after disaster strikes.

The SBA disaster loan program helps Main Street businesses make repairs, cover operating expenses, mitigate against future damage. It's also a critical source of relief for homeowners and renters to repair or replace damaged real estate. This vital program has run out of money and is unable to provide assistance to the over one hundred thousand people who have applied for help in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

This is just one of many programs that, if properly funded, will help rebuild our communities and infrastructure so people can get back to their daily lives. States cannot be left to fend for themselves, communities cannot be left in the lurch, infrastructure cannot remain damaged.

I hope that very soon we can come to a bipartisan solution to get a strong and comprehensive disaster package done. We have a great tradition in this chamber of coming together to help our neighbors when disaster strikes. It's a hallmark of America that we look after each other in times of need, no matter where we live. With so many communities impacted by recent disasters, and with federal resources running low, we are called to help our fellow Americans once again.

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