Rubio, Cornyn Introduce Bill to Restore FEMA Initiative After Mayorkas Says it Lacks Funds

Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) has introduced a bill alongside Senators Rick Scott (R-FL), John Cornyn (R-TX), and other co-sponsors to restore $20 billion in funding to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) following the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton.

This move from Sen. Rubio comes after Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas recently announced that FEMA does not have the necessary funds to provide aid throughout hurricane season.

Sen. Rubio described the DRF as the “front line” for states and communities to receive the necessary resources to survive and thrive before, during, and after hurricane impacts.

“Unfortunately, this is a hurricane season no one will soon forget. The Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) is the front line for states, and our constituents, to receive support in the aftermath of natural disasters,” said Sen. Rubio. “While assessments of the full extent of these storms are underway, the DRF cannot be allowed to be depleted. I am proud to announce my colleagues and I will be introducing a bill to provide additional funding to support communities affected by the recent hurricanes.”

Moreover, Sen. Cornyn was displeased with the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of the DRF amid hurricane season, and called on the Legislative Branch to take action on this issue.

“It is alarming that FEMA has spent almost half of its disaster fund, and there are still weeks left in hurricane season,” said Sen. Cornyn. “Congress must take action to ensure critical agencies have sufficient resources to help those impacted by natural disasters recover while also maintaining long-term rebuilding projects.”

Additionally, Sen. Scott provided a lengthy rationale for the bill and once again called for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to reconvene the upper chamber to replenish the DRF.

“I’ve been on the ground in Florida surveying damage and talking to Floridians for weeks … What’s clear is that Florida families and businesses need their federal government to show up where they are and help them get back on their feet,” said Sen. Scott. “This bill, providing $20 billion for FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund, will ensure that the agency has what it needs to provide immediate aid to folks in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, the Carolinas and other states impacted by disasters while our local communities determine their needs from FEMA, SBA, USDA and other federal agencies.”

He added that Floridians are “frustrated” by FEMA’s response during these trying times.

“The federal government’s response to hurricanes over the last two years has left too many Floridians, especially our farmers, hurting and with unmet needs. Unfortunately, I am already hearing from local officials and families in Florida that are frustrated by the fact that these disasters have stretched FEMA’s current resources too thin. That is unacceptable,” said Scott.

Florida Attorney General Moody (R-FL) recently criticized the Biden-Harris administration, going as far as to accuse them of “laundering” taxpayer money for migrants as hundreds of millions of FEMA dollars have been used for migrant programs.