Texans in Congress Push for Harvey Aid

U.S. Representatives from Texas have introduced the Bipartisan Disaster Recovery Funding Act, which would instruct federal agencies to release $16 billion in disaster funding to states and territories impacted by severe weather within 60 days. Under the bill, more than $4 billion would be directed to Texas to help cities and counties recover from declared disasters, especially in low-income areas.

The bill is supported by 15 representatives from areas awaiting funds, including Texas, Louisiana, South Carolina, Florida, and Puerto Rico. In 2018, Congress approved the disaster funding, but the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Office of Management and Budget have not set guidelines governing how the funds may be used.

In a joint press release, more than a dozen members of Congress stated, “Our communities continue to wait for the funds needed to recover and rebuild from past storms, funds that should have gone toward rebuilding and preparing for the next storms in Texas, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana, and Puerto Rico.”

A similar measure was introduced in the U.S. Senate, and the House has already passed a bill that would require HUD to publish its rules within 14 days of enactment.