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BumRushDaShow

(143,779 posts)
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 06:19 AM Nov 25

Stalemate in Congress causes growing backlog of emergency aid loan applications in Helene-devastated North Carolina

Source: CBS News

November 24, 2024 / 7:30 PM EST


By phone from her office, just steps from Main Street, the mayor of Brevard, North Carolina, shared the pain of the local businesses down the street. For example, the hand-crafted gift shop called "Local Color" is accustomed to thousands of dollars in sales during an average weekend, Mayor Maureen Copelof said. But during one weekend after Hurricane Helene, "All they sold was one bar of soap."

The nearby seafood restaurant was so inundated with water from the hurricane floods, Copelof said the owner initially told her, "I'm not even sure if I should try to rebuild." Brevard was among the dozens of North Carolina communities devastated by Hurricane Helene. But the crisis has morphed in October and November, into a painful and uncertain wait for federal aid that seems to have stalled.

"These businesses and these home owners are desperate and I am worried," Copelof told CBS News. "October is our biggest month for tourism, and sales were down 50 to 75%." Helene ransacked western North Carolina on Sept. 27, leaving a path of devastation, death and an economic calamity from which the state will need years to recover. A standoff in Congress has indefinitely delayed efforts to replenish the U.S. Small Business Administration's disaster loan fund, which offers emergency loans to help homeowners and businesses rebuild damaged properties.

The loans are also used to help upgrade homes and businesses to prevent against future storm damage. The money can also be used to help offset the loss of sales during business closures. Despite warnings from the Biden administration that the federal fund for the loans would be fully exhausted by October, Congress departed Washington before Election Day without passing legislation to replenish the fund.

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hurricane-helene-congress-stalmate-aid-backlog/

16 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Irish_Dem

(59,163 posts)
1. They want it both ways.
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 06:22 AM
Nov 25

Hate the federal government and want it destroyed.
But want the federal gov't to help them.

jimfields33

(19,257 posts)
3. So many Asheville Artists needs this money.
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 06:27 AM
Nov 25

There painting and even storefront is in ruins.

Irish_Dem

(59,163 posts)
4. Asheville is a blue dot, doubtful Trump will help them.
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 06:31 AM
Nov 25

Biden needs to get as much aid to them now while he can.

lostnfound

(16,702 posts)
8. The article (and btw your comment) blame it on "Congress" but isn't it the Republicans in Congress?
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 07:28 AM
Nov 25

Not criticizing you at all but the framing on the news articles, especially headlines, is so annoying.
If the democrats and Hakeem were in charge, they would have done something.

https://www.wnct.com/news/house-weighs-whether-to-pass-more-disaster-relief-funding/
Some House lawmakers are pushing to pass more relief funding to help small business owners hit by hurricanes Helene and Milton.

“To make sure that we meet the needs of the American people who have been suffering as a result of these extreme weather events,” House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said.


It was blocked in the senate by Rand Paul, a republican.

jimfields33

(19,257 posts)
9. I can't decide if I hate rand Paul or Tim Scott (FL)
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 07:37 AM
Nov 25

more. I voted against Scott in Florida and was so hoping to get rid of him.

lostnfound

(16,702 posts)
10. Skeletor IS the worst... Didn't he get a golden parachute after his company defrauded the federal government??
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 07:51 AM
Nov 25

I would say that voters are so uninformed, misinformed and under—equipped for their roles as citizens.

It’s starting to seem like worse than that.

(As far as Rand Paul, his father Ron seemed to at least be sort of consistent…but Rand is more the compromised pro-russia stooge.)

jimfields33

(19,257 posts)
11. Yes! And every other week he screams about
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 07:54 AM
Nov 25

Revamping social security which means privatization. He sucks!!!!!

underpants

(187,117 posts)
2. Their tragedy(s) served their purpose for Republicans
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 06:23 AM
Nov 25

Tossed aside because they know how Western North Carolina will vote anyway.

no_hypocrisy

(49,101 posts)
7. I was in Brevard, Hendersonville, and Asheville 10 days ago, visiting
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 07:04 AM
Nov 25

a college roommate. She took me to these places and I spent as much as I could afford in local businesses, not so much for my mercenary interests, but for the small contribution I could make. They're wonderful stores with amazing offerings.

I wanted to buy a gift for my roommate and her husband, but they implored me to make a donation to help to rebuild the region, which I am doing.

lostnfound

(16,702 posts)
13. ?Stalemate in Congress???" Article doesn't mention Biden request from a week ago!!!
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 08:28 AM
Nov 25

Biden asked for $100 B in disaster relief a week ago, but they don’t even mention that in the CBS article.

DISCLAIMER: The following is from a “center-right” group called American Action Forum in an article titled “Biden Administration Unveils $98.4 Billion Disaster Funding Request” but seems to have a factual summary of the request and also includes this interesting statement:

Congress has not enacted a disaster relief package since 2022, although press reports indicate that policymakers intend to spend the new few weeks finalizing a bipartisan disaster relief bill that includes some elements of the Biden Administration’s request. With the government’s shutdown deadline just 32 days away, it’s possible any disaster relief could be included in a continuing resolution or broader omnibus appropriations package.


Wonder why there hasn’t been a disaster relief package enacted since 2022? Gee, that was when Nancy Pelosi was speaker of the house.

But it’s a “stalemate in Congress” title.
Not “GOP House refuses to help disaster victims…
or “GOP in DISARRAY as NC RESIDENTS GET NO HELP!!!

Fla Dem

(25,832 posts)
16. Senate and House have been on break. Nothing going to get done.
Mon Nov 25, 2024, 12:01 PM
Nov 25

Senate on break from11/23 through 12/1.
House on break from 11/22 through 12/2


https://www.congress.gov/calendars-and-schedules

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