FEMA Aide: Disaster Relief Funds Can Stretch

WASHINGTON -- The Federal Emergency Management Administration won't run out of disaster relief money until later in the week, despite dire warnings from congressional leaders in both parties about the fund going dry as soon as Monday.

FEMA director of public affairs Rachel Racusen told The Huffington Post that, based on estimates made over the past weekend, FEMA's disaster relief fund won't hit zero until closer to the end of this week.

A senior Senate Democratic aide confirmed that Hill staff is being told that FEMA funds could stretch until Thursday or Friday.

As of Monday morning, the fund stood at about $114 million.

Racusen emphasized that those estimates assume that no new disasters will strike between now and when the fund empties out. If the fund does run dry before Congress acts, people still recovering from the aftermath of this year's natural disasters -- including Hurricanes Irene and Lee and the spate of tornadoes that decimated regions of the Midwest -- will no longer receive federal help.

"Under law, FEMA would be forced to temporarily shut down disaster recovery and assistance operations, including financial assistance to individuals until Congress appropriated more funds," she said. "This would include all past and current FEMA recovery operations.”

Congress is currently mired in a fight over whether to pay for billions of dollars in emergency disaster aid tucked into a must-pass $1.043 trillion government spending bill. If lawmakers can't reach a deal by Friday on whether to pass the bill -- which includes $3.65 billion in disaster aid -- not only will FEMA be tapped out of disaster relief money, but the federal government would be forced to shut down until a continuing resolution could be passed.

The next step in the budget fight comes Monday night in the Senate. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) is bringing forward an amended version of the House-passed government spending bill to see if it can pass without the $1.5 billion in disaster aid offsets added to the bill by House Republicans.

Senate Republicans largely support paying for disaster aid with offset spending cuts to an Energy Department clean car fund that is supported by Democrats. But Reid is hoping at least some of the 10 Republicans who voted with Democrats earlier this month to pass a $6.9 billion disaster relief package, without offsets, will side with him again.

Comments

[tigrmama11]

11:56 PM on 09/28/2011

I know what you're saying, TopCat, but I'm talking about disaster situations. No one-on-one neighbor can help the other when an entire community is gone.

[tigrmama11]

11:54 PM on 09/28/2011

FEMA is something we know well in Florida. in 2004 we got a direct hit with hurricane Jeanne. Fema was a disaster. Mismanaged, most of the workers did not speak good English. It was hot, humid and horrible thing to go through. But with our own hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, floods, etc., here in the U.S.A. I think it's about time the give-away "do-gooder's" in our government stop giving it to other countries and give FEMA ALL the money they need.....FIRST. Also, hire the best people for the job to get things done as quickly as possible. How does that grab the rest of you.

[TOPCAT711]

09:36 PM on 09/26/2011

I'm just glad I lived most of my life during a time when WE as fellow citizens actually helped each other.

Not it's 'I got mine'....'not with my tax dollar'....'you're on your own'.

I fear for my grandchildren.

Our nation has lost its soul.

[joni brit]

08:48 PM on 09/26/2011

so borrow from the Government Limo fund, or GOV, the Government Properties Income Trust (up 25%), or trim the budget for operating the Executive Branch of Government from the White House,
which is $1.5 billion annually or $4,364,041/day.

[Mollyj]

06:44 PM on 09/26/2011

If we could afford to spend 2 billion a week in afghanistan, we can afford all this!

[emmanuel kalu]

05:16 PM on 09/26/2011

we all need to let our elected officials feel our frustration by emailing and calling. they also have to feel the power of the middle class by voting for only those with common sense and the ability to work for this country and its people. the tea party and republican in both houses are definitely not working for this country. their aim is to destroy the economy and so far it is working. The is no use in a struggling economy for the govt to be cutting spending. we have the lowest borrrowing rate ever, corporation are being greedy and hoarding cash after we bailed them out. it is only the govt that can spur growth now and we really don't need to be cutting funds from the program that is creating jobs and keep the country clean. lets call our congress person and tell them to work for this country, lets vote all republican out of office and watch this country return progress.

[emmanuel kalu]

04:49 PM on 09/26/2011

it goes without question. why can't politician seperate both bills. why can't they ever just vote on a clean single bill. now we have a situation whereby disaster relief is not funded and the govt is going to be shut down. The fact that we are talking about another shutdown, that we are speaking of spending cut and that republicans want to cut spending from a program that is creating jobs. is why we need to change the congress, get rid of all the baggers, elect official that are willing to be sensible and smart. why aren't dems screaming of off setting this relief from all the tax breaks and subs to coporation. This republican congress is about the worst i have ever witness and if they are not remove from office next year. america can begin the process of destroying this nation. The republican lack of governing and their desire to only applease the rich while killing the middle class makes me wonder, what kind of magic do they hold over those that support them in any form. The answer to that lies in the fact that their support are ignorant and self defeating.

[joni brit]

08:51 PM on 09/26/2011

I hear those guys from Goldman really want you on their team, they think you are really smart !!

[ruthtruth]

04:23 PM on 09/26/2011

If the TP/GOP really care about us disaster survivers they would just pass a funding bill without attaching anything. Obviously they don't.

[snakeman]

04:12 PM on 09/26/2011

People in the disasters states, TAKE NOTE ! This is the view that the tea-gop have for America, you're on your own. Hey, tea-gop, THIS IS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ! We are all for one and one for all ! That is why you will be soundly defeated in 2012 !

[DUSAA-1775]

06:30 PM on 09/26/2011

Say!! Isn't that the same view of Sen Reid and the democrats?? Reid says no FEMA money unless the republicans do not cut back on the green jobs slush fund.

If the democrats can't flush piles of $500m Solyndra funds, then FEMA doesn't get the money.

[snakeman]

10:05 AM on 09/27/2011

Try staying on subject. You're not making any sense !

[mooowi]

03:46 PM on 09/26/2011

So both parties agree to a spending cap which means you have to offset any new spending. So in order to not be liers if they do not like the cuts suggest a diffrent cut don't lie about the spending cap.

I voted obama... But this is dishonesty come on. Agree to cut something else the budget is huge I think both parties can agree with some cut come on this is stupid.

[ruthtruth]

04:24 PM on 09/26/2011

When did both parties agree to a spending cap on disaster aid?

[mooowi]

04:49 PM on 09/26/2011

A government spending cap. Which means this is New spending and to stay under the cap you have to cut something else.

[JoeBlough]

03:15 PM on 09/26/2011

So, when are the States going to Man-Up and help their citizens? I thought the GOP said Federal handouts are Socialism?

[pooka47401]

03:05 PM on 09/26/2011

It is soooo obvious that you need to cut a fund that allows factories to retool their lines, keep jobs for their employees, and put small and energy efficient cars on the roads. Now who would not want to do that?? Oh yes those in Congress who are tools for the large Oil and Gas companies.

Or are those in the House just not taking a look at what they are cutting?? Is it just a cutting free-for-all?? It's not WHAT they cut, but just THAT they cut??

Oh, I bet the Koch Brothers are sooo proud of their creation!

[LeeMon]

03:05 PM on 09/26/2011

I posted this last night, but I'll say it again in the light of day:

My family's homes in Japan were destroyed in the tsunami earlier this year. Miraculous­ly, no one died although they all lived in the small coastal town Tagajo near the Sendai airport. One home was totally swept away and another home was extensivel­y damaged on the first floor. They stayed with other family members while their homes were rebuilt. The Japanese government helped them to rebuild and the insurance companies did not balk at paying for repairs and replacemen­ts. Both homes have now been reoccupied with completely new furnishing­s and appliances­. Astonishin­gly, this was done in a matter of months.

My point is that our government should not hesitate for a moment to help our citizens who so desperatel­y, thru no fault of their own, have lost everything­. It is shameful that New Orleans is not yet back to normal after all these years, that contractor­s bilk the government for their work (or nonwork), and that citizens make false claims for disaster relief.

But most shameful is that our own members of Congress hold hostage funds to help not only Americans, but citizens in their own districts. Shame on you Cantor and shame on the rest of your goons.

[giftsthatpurr]

03:48 PM on 09/26/2011

Fanned and Fav'd: I so agree!!! As often said, the GOP is holding the will of the people hostage because they don't care if we can breathe clean air, drink clean water or have clean energy jobs. . . and they are counting on the Dems to let them get by with it so as not to hold up Disaster Relief that they also want cut back. The thing they want to see stay AS IS is continued tax cuts to the rich/corps that are poluting everything - AND are NOT providing jobs as a result of their tax cuts.

[ruthtruth]

04:26 PM on 09/26/2011

You are so right. The America I grew up in would never do this. The TPers have poisoned any good people left in the GOP.

[Joseph Angelo]

02:58 PM on 09/26/2011

At this point , I say we just end FEMA, cease sending relief funds to other countries, and limit all remaining programs to US citizens. Sorry but the Congress has taken a stance that we need to cut costs so these all seem things they want.

[Sundiszno]

03:37 PM on 09/26/2011

But that's not what the members of the Republican/Tea Party have proposed, is it? They have not suggested cutting one dime from the foreign aid to fund helping Americans in emergency need.

Why don't you ask your member to cut all aid to Israel ($3.1B in 2010)? That should take care of FEMA for almost the entire year. Let's see if they'll even bother answering your email.

[DUSAA-1775]

05:55 PM on 09/26/2011

....' Why don't you ask your member to cut all aid to Israel ($3.1B in 2010)? That should take care of FEMA for almost the entire year....'

While cutting back on foreign aid should free up money to be applied against the deficit, I doubt if the congress would go along with your proposal to abandon any US friend and ally as long as it's Israel..

[giftsthatpurr]

03:49 PM on 09/26/2011

huh? N.O and SW are niot other countries.

[jsgaetano]

02:53 PM on 09/26/2011

When are Red States going to get off the Big Gubment teet?