Bipartisan push emerges to cut Congress' recess short [View all]

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Axios

11 hours ago


A growing number of lawmakers in states hit by Hurricane Helene are pressing for Congress to return from its October recess to pass additional disaster relief funding.

Why it matters: It's an idea that even President Biden appeared to float on Monday, though congressional leadership has given no indication it will take such an extraordinary step.

One House Republican close to leadership said it is "doubtful" Congress will come back into to session before its scheduled return in November.

Driving the news: Biden said during a press conference on Monday that his "expectation" is to ask Congress to pass a supplemental funding package to respond to the storm.

Asked if he will ask Congress to return for a special session, Biden said: "That is something I may have to request, but no decision's been made yet."

The devastating storm has left at least 120 people dead across half a dozen states as of Monday and resulted in widespread power outages and property damage.

State of play: Congress left town last week having passed a stopgap federal funding bill that included three months worth of funding for FEMA's Disaster Aid Fund at current spending levels.

Many Republicans view that as sufficient, with one GOP lawmaker telling Axios: "The President has extraordinary ability to move resources now. And in the first 30 days of the fiscal year has plenty of time for us to authorize additional funds next month."

But Democrats say additional funding needed to be tucked into the bill ahead of hurricane season: "Mike Johnson should have included it in the CR. We should return to DC," Rep. Wiley Nickel (D-N.C.) told Axios.

Read more: https://www.axios.com/2024/09/30/bipartisan-push-emerges-to-cut-congress-recess-short