1. United States
2. W.V.
3. Letter

The catastrophic impacts of hurricanes Helene and the imminent threat of Hurricane Milton necessitate immediate congressional action to provide supplemental emergency funding through a comprehensive disaster relief bill. The limited funds remaining in the Small Business Administration's disaster loan program and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are rapidly depleting, leaving many individuals and businesses vulnerable to the devastation caused by these natural disasters. While federal aid programs like FEMA's emergency assistance and SBA's disaster loans offer crucial support, their current financial constraints and restrictive policies like the $750 cap on individual FEMA assistance fail to adequately address the extensive damages faced by impacted communities. A restructuring of these agencies and their funding allocations is imperative to ensure a more robust and responsive disaster relief system. Recognizing the urgency of this situation, I urge the swift reconvening of Congress to pass legislation that bolsters funding for disaster recovery efforts. This funding must not only replenish depleted resources but also allocate sufficient funds to overhaul and enhance existing disaster relief programs, ensuring they prioritize the needs of individuals and small businesses impacted by catastrophic events like hurricanes Helene and Milton. The well-being and economic stability of affected communities hinge on decisive congressional action.