How to cut federal spending – and by how much – consumes Congressional Republicans right now.
Firestorms are scorching Southern California. But a political firestorm is about to singe Capitol Hill.
The natural disaster dynamic has morphed into a regular fiscal nightmare in Congress. And frankly, the way lawmakers address natural disasters creates a hyper obstacle to making a serious dent in the deficit and national debt.
Expect staggering costs.
TRUMP GIVES BLUE STATE REPUBLICANS MARCHING ORDER ON CRITICAL TAX NEGOTIATION
Destroyed cars remain in a river after the flooding caused by Hurricane Helene about a month ago in Asheville, North Carolina, on October 30, 2024. (Photo by YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP via Getty Images)
“This is going to be a very expensive event,” forecast Rep. George Whitesides, D-Calif.
FEMA is bracing for the price tag.
“We know this is going to be billions,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell.
President Biden is vowing help.
“We’re going to pay for it. And we’ve got to be prepared to pay for it,” said the president. “We’re going to need the United States Congress to follow up with appropriations to help provide significant help for our fellow Americans who need this help.”
Catastrophic natural disasters now pummel different quarters of the U.S. at an alarming rate. Devastating wildfires swept across Maui in 2023. Tornado outbreaks are the norm. Blackouts from the heat – or blizzards coupled with bone-chilling cold – dim the power grid. The dual hurricanes of Milton and Helene spun through the south last year, chewing through property just days apart in the fall. Water spilled out of rivers, creeks, steams, brooks and culverts, submerging entire communities.
Congress coughed up $100 billion just before Christmas to help victims recover from the hurricanes. Some of that money went to help people restart their businesses or cover costs to rebuild. $27 billion of it went to reload FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) to prepare for future…
