WASHINGTON, D.C. – In case you missed it, following Senator Rick Scott, Senator Marco Rubio and their colleagues announcing legislation to replenish the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Disaster Relief Fund (DRF), WFSU wrote a story highlighting the bill that will appropriate $20 billion to the DRF to help states recover from Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton. The FEMA DRF assists individuals, households, states, and non-federal government entities with recovery following natural disasters, yet is quickly dwindling. Read more from Senator Scott on his legislation to replenish the DRF HERE.

In the article, WFSU journalist Adrian Andrews wrote, “Federal lawmakers have allocated $20 billion to go toward hurricane relief efforts—including those in Florida. U.S. Sens. Rick Scott and Marco Rubio announced legislation Wednesday that aims to replenish the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Disaster Relief Fund (DRF).

The bill comes just days after the Biden Administration said certain disaster loan programs were ‘running out of money.’ ‘Unfortunately, I am already hearing from local officials and families in Florida that are frustrated by the fact that these disasters have stretched FEMA’s current resources too thin. That is unacceptable,’ said Scott.

The former Florida governor emphasized the importance of getting those accounts back into the green during a recent visit to St. Lucie County. ‘No state is immune from disasters and I hope that none of our colleagues in the Senate will object to the quick passage of this needed funding,’ said Scott.

Officials said on Wednesday that FEMA has the money to help with current recovery needs, but says the $20 billion allotment will quickly dwindle. ‘While assessments of the full extent of these storms are underway, the DRF cannot be allowed to be depleted,’ Sen. Rubio said. ‘I am proud to announce my colleagues and I will be introducing a bill to provide additional funding to support communities affected by the recent hurricanes.’”

Read the full article WFSU HERE.

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In preparation for and response to Hurricane Milton, Senator Scott has been in constant contact with state leaders, mayors, sheriffs and police chiefs, emergency management officials and energy companies in communities throughout the state, and has visited St. Lucie, Volusia, Lake, Pinellas, Sarasota, Hillsborough, Lee, Charlotte and Manatee counties to survey damage and receive briefings from local officials. On Sunday, Senator Scott met with President Joe Biden and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell to receive a briefing on the response to Hurricane Milton and ongoing rescue and recovery missions and discuss communities’ needs as they begin their recovery.

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