WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Rick Scott joined Senator Thom Tillis, Ted Budd, Lindsey Graham, Tim Scott, Raphael Warnock, Jon Ossoff, Marco Rubio, Marsha Blackburn, Bill Hagerty, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine in sending a letter to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Appropriations Chair Patty Murray, and Senate Appropriations Vice Chair Susan Collins on the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene and the urgent need to pass an appropriations package to support the millions of Americans affected by the storm.

The senators wrote, “The devastation from Hurricane Helene across the southeastern United States is simply inconceivable… Because of a lack of cell service, we anticipate even greater tragedy to unfold in the days and weeks ahead as communications and power are restored and we can understand the full scope of this disaster.”

The senators continued, “Even preliminary damage assessments indicate that, at a minimum, the total damage and economic loss will be in the tens of billions of dollars. This amount will likely soar as recovery efforts continue and the full picture of this ruinous disaster becomes clear.”

The senators concluded, “Although the true level of devastation is still unfolding, it is clear that Congress must act to meet the unmet needs in our states and address the scope and scale of destruction experienced by our constituents. 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. Tens of millions of Americans were impacted by Hurricane Helene, and we look forward to working with you to provide relief to those impacted by this horrific storm.”

Read the full letter HERE.

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Earlier this week, Senator Scott urged Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to immediately reconvene the U.S. Senate once damage assessments by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Small Business Administration (SBA) are completed so that the Senate can pass a clean supplemental disaster funding bill and other disaster relief legislation, like his Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act, needed to ensure the full recovery of families in all impacted communities. Read more on Senator Scott’s fight to secure aid for Hurricane Helene response and recovery HERE.

Prior to Hurricane Helene’s landfall, Senator Scott had daily calls with the National Hurricane Center (NHC) and has been in contact with FEMA in the days after to receive the latest updates on Hurricane Helene response and recovery efforts. Ahead of Helene's landfall, Senator Scott received briefings from law enforcement and emergency management officials in Bay, Franklin, Taylor and Levy Counties and urged Floridians to heed warnings, evacuate and prepare. Since Helene’s landfall, Senator Scott has visited Pasco, Pinellas, Hernando, Levy, Manatee, Lee, Sarasota and Charlotte Counties to receive a briefing from the sheriff and emergency management officials in each county on local response and recovery efforts.

Senator Scott encourages any Floridians in need of assistance with a federal agency, including FEMA and the SBA, or any other federal issue while recovering from Hurricane Helene to contact his office at www.rickscott.senate.gov/contact/casework. Find additional resources and information on Hurricane Helene response and recovery at  www.rickscott.senate.gov/hurricane-season-resources or from the Florida Division of Emergency Management at floridadisaster.org or @FLSERT.

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