White House seeks US$5.9billion in initial Harvey recovery aid - but total bill could hit US$100billion
Congress is likely to vote on the first tranche of aid next week, amid fears the final cost could rival that of Hurricane Katrina
The White House has prepared a request to Congress for an initial US$5.9 billion package in recovery aid in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, a first down payment to make sure recovery efforts over the next few weeks are adequately funded.
The Trump proposal, which is being finalised pending White House consultations with key Republicans, promises to represent just a fraction of an eventual Harvey recovery package that could rival the US$100-billion-plus in taxpayer-financed help for victims of 2005’s Hurricane Katrina.
A senior administration official said the plan will be sent to Congress on Friday and House and Senate votes appear likely next week. The official was not authorised to release the information publicly before a final decision is made and spoke on condition of anonymity.
House Republican Party leaders have signalled they are aiming to act fast on Harvey aid. Much larger future instalments will be required but the initial package, to replenish Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster coffers through September 30, shouldn’t be controversial.
FEMA is spending existing disaster aid reserves – just US$2.1 billion as of Thursday – at a high rate.
The initial aid money would be a down payment for immediate recovery efforts, to be followed by larger packages later, said White House homeland security adviser Tom Bossert. It will take weeks or months to assess the full extent of the damage and need.
“We’ll go up to Congress and give them a sound supplemental request number. We’ll add to it,” Bossert said. “And when we can a better handle on the damage we can come back with a responsible last, so to speak, supplemental request.”
