WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) announced tonight that nearly $24 billion in disaster aid will be included in a package of defense and homeland security appropriations and a continuing funding measure. Developed by Senate and House appropriators, action on the must-pass legislation is expected in both the House and Senate this week. The disaster package builds on the $2.65 billion in disaster aid that Congress passed immediately after flood waters hit Iowa in June.
While the funding levels released today will be used for disasters across the nation, most of the funding will be allocated proportionally based on the amount of damage that each state incurred. A significant share of the $24 billion will go toward Midwestern states hit by floods, including Iowa.
The measure includes $6.5 billion for Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), a flexible account that can be used for home repairs and buyouts, assistance to businesses, repair of damaged facilities, mitigation efforts to reduce damage from future disasters and economic revitalization. The funding will go to specific projects as determined by the states under general agreements with HUD.
The package also contains a modified Harkin provision that requires the HUD Secretary to allocate at least one-third of the funding to affected states within 60 days of enactment. Harkin pushed for the legislative language to assure that some funding reached communities in a more timely manner.
"I am very pleased that the Appropriations Committees has made Iowa's disaster and the rest of the nation's natural disasters a priority," said Harkin. "These dollars will be of great assistance to homeowners, small businesses and communities that are working to rebuild our infrastructure and prepare for future disasters. While this is another positive step in the process of getting federal dollars for our disaster, we will clearly need more help. I will continue to work with my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee, Senator Grassley and other senators to assure passage of this measure and begin crafting the next chunk of funding that we will likely see in March."
"This is welcome news to Iowans who are hurting. It's a big boost to a state that has seen more than its share of natural disasters this year. I'm also pleased that funding for the Cedar Rapids courthouse was included in the bill," Grassley said. "I look forward to working with Senator Harkin and the state and local communities as they continue to assess their ongoing needs to rebuild their lives, homes and businesses"
The bill also includes funding for the following disaster-related programs. Unless otherwise noted, the sums listed below will be used for all recent major disasters across the United States. The funding will be allocated among the states in proportion to the damage suffered for the type of activity covered.
$7.9 billion for FEMA Disaster Relief, which helps pay individuals affected by disasters nationally.
$182 million for construction of the new Cedar Rapids Courthouse.
$600 million for the Social Services Block Grant program to provide urgently needed services to individuals living in states hit by disasters, including food, shelter and clothing, as well as health care and mental health services. States may also use these funds for vital public health activities, such as surveillance of water-borne or mosquito-borne diseases. Funds may also be used to repair damaged health care and social services facilities, such as child care centers.
Further funding levels for other specific accounts will be announced soon.
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