Granger, McCaul commend passage of national disaster relief budget bill

U.S. Reps. Kay Granger (R-TX) and Michael McCaul (R-TX) on Monday applauded approval of a supplemental disaster relief funding package that is on its way to becoming a law and will bring much-needed recovery monies to their home state.

“This supplemental appropriations bill is a positive step forward for our communities — Texas in particular,” said Rep. Granger, ranking member of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee.

The U.S. House of Representatives on June 3 voted 354-58 to approve the reconciled version of the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019, H.R. 2157, which authorizes $19.2 billion total in disaster relief funds to several federal departments and agencies for expenses resulting from recent natural disasters. The bill now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law.

“Over the past few years, natural disasters have devastated communities throughout my home state of Texas and the nation,” Rep. Granger said. “These areas, including military bases and farmland, are in dire need of assistance to return to full operations.”

H.R. 2157 includes language requiring the Office of Management to release previously approved disaster relief funds totaling $16 billion, a sizable chunk of which will go to Texas for disaster recovery from 2018 Hurricane Harvey, according to the lawmakers’ offices.

“The $4.3 billion in disaster relief aid is overdue and will go a long way in helping Texans as they continue to rebuild their lives after Harvey,” said Rep. McCaul, ranking member of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Calling it “a vital provision,” Rep. McCaul also pointed out that it will hasten future mitigation funding.

“With hurricane season now upon us, I’m relieved that these urgently needed funds will begin to flow to the many Harvey survivors in my district and across Texas,” he added.