WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rick Scott and Senator Marco Rubio sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging his immediate approval of the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s request for an expedited Major Disaster Declaration following the impacts of major Hurricane Milton that brought devastation throughout the entire State of Florida. Ensuring the Tribe has access to the federal resources needed for its ongoing response and recovery efforts is imperative to protecting members of the tribe, their communities and property.

Read the full letter HERE or below.

Dear Mr. President:

            We write in support of the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s request for an expedited Major Disaster Declaration related to the devastating impacts of major Hurricane Milton, which made landfall in Florida on October 9, 2024.   

            As detailed in the request submitted by Chairman Marcellus W. Osceola, Jr., Hurricane Milton impacted all Seminole Tribal lands in the state, with the most severe damage caused to the Tampa, Brighton, Big Cypress, and Immokalee Seminole Indian Reservations, as well as the Lakeland and Fort Pierce trust parcels. Ensuring the Tribe has access to the federal resources needed for its ongoing response and recovery efforts is imperative to protecting members of the tribe, their communities and property. As such, we urge you to promptly approve the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s request for an expedited Major Disaster Declaration.

            Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Senator Scott encourages all Floridians to visit his website at www.rickscott.senate.gov/contact/casework for information or help with federal agencies like FEMA and the SBA, following Hurricanes Milton and Helene. Find more on state response efforts from the Florida Division of Emergency Management at floridadisaster.org or @FLSERT.

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