WASHINGTON – A dozen bipartisan senators representing the states that have been devastated by Hurricane Helene on Tuesday requested Congress approve additional resources to help clean up in the wake of the disaster. They’re also joining President Joe Biden in urging lawmakers to consider an emergency session before Election Day to get their work done.
In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the Democratic and Republican senators from North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and Virginia wrote that the damage wrought by the hurricane will be at least in the tens of billions of dollars.
“Although the true level of devastation is still unfolding, it is clear that Congress must act to meetthe unmet needs in our states and address the scope and scale of destruction experienced by ourconstituents,” the senators wrote. “This may even require Congress to come back in October to ensure we have enough time to enact legislation before the end of this calendar year.”