For the second year in a row, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster relief fund is facing a summer shortfall smack in the middle of hurricane and wildfire season.
The problem isn’t lost on congressional appropriators or the White House, which requested an additional $9 billion for the fund back in October. Still, it’s not clear whether the final fiscal 2024 Homeland Security Department spending bill due March 8 will provide a vehicle for more disaster aid money.
Shoring up the disaster relief fund is “a topic in ongoing conference discussions” on final appropriations bills, a Senate aide familiar with the talks said. Another aide said ensuring FEMA has enough cash is a “priority” both for the administration and appropriators, though it was too soon to say how or when more funds would be provided.
