Biden is seeking an additional $4 billion for disaster relief, increasing the total request to $16 billion.

 

The White House plans to include an extra $4 billion in its supplemental funding request to tackle natural disasters, resulting in a total request of $16 billion.

WASHINGTON -- The White House is set to request an additional $4 billion in supplemental funding to address natural disasters, bringing the total to $16 billion. This move underscores the growing impact of climate change, which has led to more severe wildfires, floods, and hurricanes, resulting in higher costs for U.S. taxpayers.

Initially, the Biden administration had sought $12 billion in extra funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's disaster relief fund, which supports rescue and relief operations. However, Shelby Wagenseller, a policy analyst in the Office of Management and Budget, cited recent events such as wildfires in Hawaii and Louisiana, flooding in Vermont, and Hurricane Idalia's impact on Florida and other Southeastern states as reasons for the increased funding request to $16 billion.

As of Tuesday, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell had expressed confidence that $12 billion would suffice to meet the agency's needs until the end of the fiscal year later this month. Criswell explained that the lower sum would serve as a temporary solution until the fiscal year's end, but she also emphasized that FEMA would closely monitor the situation, particularly if more storms occurred.

President Joe Biden visited FEMA's offices in Washington on Thursday to advocate for additional funding, urging the prompt approval of the disaster relief request, stating, "We need this disaster relief request met, and we need it in September." He expressed confusion over some lawmakers' reluctance to allocate the necessary funds, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.

Following Biden's remarks, the Office of Management and Budget determined that an extra $4 billion must be included in the supplemental funding measure. This measure also includes funding for Ukraine in its conflict against Russia and initiatives to combat fentanyl addiction.