The Blubber

The Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas has said FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) "does not have the funds to make it through the season" if another hurricane hits.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) can address immediate needs but lacks sufficient funding to make it through the entire hurricane season, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Wednesday.

FEMA is currently stretched thin as it partners with states to assess the damage from Hurricane Helene, while distributing meals, water, generators, and other critical supplies. The storm hit Florida last week before sweeping through several southeastern states, leaving towns flooded and over 160 people dead.

Mayorkas did not specify the exact amount of additional funding FEMA may require, but his comments on Air Force One echoed concerns shared earlier by President Joe Biden and some lawmakers. They suggested that Congress might need to pass a supplemental spending bill this fall to assist with state recovery efforts.

“We are meeting immediate needs with the funds we currently have, but another hurricane is expected,” Mayorkas said. “FEMA does not have enough funds to last through the entire season.”

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with the majority of hurricanes typically occurring in September and October.

Congress recently replenished FEMA’s disaster relief fund with $20 billion as part of a short-term government spending bill that extends government funding through December 20. This legislation also gave FEMA the flexibility to access the funds more quickly when needed.

However, both the House and Senate are scheduled to be in their home states until after the upcoming elections, as lawmakers concentrate on campaigning.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., gave no indication of altering that schedule during a speech on Tuesday, stating that Congress had recently provided FEMA with the necessary resources and that lawmakers would ensure proper allocation.

A bipartisan group of Senators from affected states urged their leadership this week to take action, emphasizing the need for Congress to address their constituents' needs, which could even require lawmakers to return in October before the elections.