Casten Helps House Pass Disaster Relief Package
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) voted on the Senate-passed bipartisan Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act. The package includes $19.1 billion for disaster relief, including funding dedicated to flood mitigation. The 6th District was recently affected by damaging floods and last week, Rep. Casten toured several of the areas. The bill passed with strong bipartisan support and now heads to the President's desk to be signed into law.
Casten said, "As someone who has spent his career fighting climate change, I understand the severe impact natural disasters have had on our communities and homes. Each year, these disasters get increasingly worse due to a changing climate and it is imperative we act. Without comprehensive climate action, these disasters will continue to worsen, becoming more intense, more frequent, and more costly. I'm proud to join my colleagues to pass the much needed disaster relief package to help the millions of Americans affected by natural disasters – including residents of the 6th District. I hope the President signs the package into law as soon as possible."
Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act includes:
- Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations — $435 million. Financial and technical assistance to states and local sponsors to protect and restore watersheds.
- Economic Development Administration, Economic Development Assistance programs — $600 million. Flood mitigation, disaster relief, long-term recovery, and restoration of infrastructure in areas affected by major disasters in 2018 and 2019.
- NOAA Procurement, Acquisition and Construction — $25 million. Improvements to operational and research weather supercomputing infrastructure and satellite ground services in support of the National Weather Service's forecasting and prediction of hurricanes, floods, and wildfires.
- Army Corps of Engineers, Investigations — $35 million. Study potential projects to reduce risk from future floods and hurricanes.
- National Flood Insurance Program – extended through September 30, 2019.