WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) urged colleagues to speed disaster recovery resources to families, small business owners and local communities following President Biden’s disaster supplemental funding proposal. Rep. Castor testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee about the devastating back-to-back hurricanes, the coordinated response and the next steps for FEMA and the Congress.

“This was the most destructive hurricane season ever for the Tampa Bay area on the west coast of Florida […] My Tampa Bay area community was not the only community impacted by these extreme storms, but our experience grappling with the aftermath is instructive for how to better prepare and respond,” said Castor.

Castor continued, “Floridians are resilient, but the impact of these back-to-back monster storms is straining local resources, as well as the bank accounts of my neighbors who are already paying more for property insurance and electric bills than just about anywhere else.

“The losses from the triple-whammy of Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton exposed our outdated infrastructure. We can avoid future devastating hits to our economy, environment, public health and safety, and national security if Congress leads the way in mitigating future flood and disaster risks.”

On Monday, the Biden-Harris Administration submitted an emergency supplemental funding request to Congress to replenish disaster funds and provide additional resources to impacted communities. The President’s request for almost $100 billion in disaster funding includes additional funding for FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund and would replenish depleted SBA disaster funds to support small businesses and homeowners.  Now it’s time for Congress to come together to pass a comprehensive disaster funding package. 

Read Castor’s complete written testimony here.