Congress approved $20 billion for FEMA's disaster relief fund as Hurricane Helene was heading toward Florida.

As Hurricane Helene careened toward Florida’s Panhandle, numerous Republicans voted against extending funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Last week, Congress approved $20 billion for FEMA’s disaster relief fund as part of a stopgap spending bill to fund the government through December 20. But the measure left out billions of dollars in requested supplemental disaster funding.

The Senate approved the measure by a 78-18 vote on September 25 after it passed the House in a 341-82 vote. Republicans supplied the no votes in both chambers.

Some of the Republicans who voted against the bill represent states that have been hard hit by Helene, including Florida Representative Matt Gaetz.

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  • Aermis@lemmy.world
    41·
    1 month ago

    They bundle things into bills all the time to make the other side vote on them or look like the bad guy, by using the American citizen as hostage. I wonder why so little bills passed on helping the common man. I’m not taking the Republicans side here but it’s not black and white. Everyone’s reply to the concept of why the Republicans blocked it has been doubt, and it seems the “only” plausible explanation is that they’re all being petty and want to blame democrats for the failed FEMA response.