FOX 1st: The ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus is calling on Republican leaders to reject President Biden's request for $98.4 billion in disaster aid.
In a public statement from a Republican group Wednesday evening, lawmakers called for a slimmed-down package that covers what is “absolutely necessary,” offset by spending cuts in other areas.
“Congress released a $100 billion unfunded disaster aid bill that Democrats would use to solidify their own unrelated priorities during the waning days of Democratic control in Washington, just before Republicans took control of the White House and both chambers of Congress.'' should not be passed.” A statement from the House Freedom Caucus was read.
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Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) speaks during a House Freedom Caucus press conference outside the U.S. Capitol on Monday, May 30, 2023. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc, via Getty Images)
“The House of Representatives will consider only what is absolutely necessary now to provide emergency relief to hurricane victims and farmers, and pay for it against other wasteful spending within the government to make disaster relief more appropriate.” We should wait for President Trump's inauguration to take control.”
This will depend on how big the disaster aid package should be and whether it should be attached to a critical year-end federal funding bill to avoid a partial government shutdown during the holiday season. The meeting was held during negotiations over whether or not to proceed.
When Helen opened fire on the southeastern United States in late September, more than 100 people were killed in North Carolina alone.
Another deadly storm, Hurricane Milton, hit Florida and Georgia about a week later.
Sen. Thom Tillis (RN.C.) told “Your World” host Neil Kabuto that a $100 billion disaster aid package could be needed.
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U.S. President Joe Biden attends a meeting at the Carlinho facility near Lobito, Angola on December 4, 2024. Reuters/Elizabeth Franz (Reuters/Elizabeth Franz)
“I think we need about $100 billion in disaster grants. North Carolina alone is estimated to have close to $50 billion,” Tillis said. “Recovery will take years and we shouldn't be playing with people's lives.”
But some fiscal conservatives have balked at granting such a huge federal mandate without cutting costs in other areas.
They argue that granting the Democratic administration's request for such a huge package would be a reckless move that would further increase the national debt.
“I'm not going to vote for $100 billion in backlogs. There's zero chance of that happening,” Freedom Caucus policy chair Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) told Fox News Digital last month. .
Rep. Chuck Edwards, who is not a member of the Freedom Caucus and whose district was hard hit by Helen, told Fox News Digital that he has been in contact with House leadership about a disaster relief bill, but details are still being finalized. He said he did not. It is crafted.
Meanwhile, Congressional leaders are expected to negotiate a continuing resolution (CR), a short-term extension of current government funding levels, before the Dec. 20 partial shutdown deadline.
If the disaster relief bill passes this year, House Speaker Mike Johnson will need to work with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. (Reuters)
“We're looking at a few different options,” Edwards said Wednesday morning. “It may be connected to the CR, it may run parallel to the CR, but it is currently under construction.”
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Asked about the total amount Biden is requesting, he said: “We're still building it. We've pretty much got the gist of it. We're trying to figure out proportionately how much money to spend in each of the different areas.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana), who discussed disaster relief and government funding with the House Freedom Caucus Tuesday night, offered little insight into his plans during his weekly news conference.
“This is serious, serious harm. But the original request was for $116.5 billion. And what we are doing now is the important and systematic work that the House was tasked with doing to make those requests. It is to thoroughly consider and evaluate line by line to ensure that the requirements are met.'' In fact, everything is related to the disaster and contains redundant items and issues. That's not true,” Johnson said.
