Speaker Mike Johnson Holds Off on Calling Special Session for Hurricane Relief Despite Biden’s Push

Jimmy Williams

House Speaker Mike Johnson on Sunday declined to commit to bringing Congress back into session before the upcoming election, despite President Joe Biden’s request for additional disaster recovery funds in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

Appearing on Fox News Sunday, Johnson was asked about Biden’s Friday letter urging Congress to act on federal disaster aid. Biden highlighted a looming funding shortfall for the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) disaster loan program and warned that the Department of Homeland Security may not have enough resources to get through the remainder of the hurricane season.

“We’ll be back in session immediately after the election,” Johnson stated, adding that assessing the full damage from the hurricane will take time. “The thing about these hurricanes and disasters of this magnitude is it takes a while to calculate the actual damages, and the states are going to need some time to do that.”

Johnson pointed to the $20 billion allocated to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) before the hurricane hit, insisting it would cover the immediate needs. “Congress always takes its due approach of providing what is necessary… There shouldn’t be any concern about that,” he added, saying that Congress will step in when needed.

However, Johnson did not provide a clear answer on whether Congress would return early, as Biden hinted might be necessary. The president said last week that he was considering requesting a special session to address urgent funding needs but had not made a final decision.

A Biden administration official noted that Congress has previously taken quick action on disaster relief, even during recess, underscoring the potential need for swift funding.

The SBA disaster loan program, which assists individuals and businesses in disaster-affected areas, was already facing financial difficulties before Hurricane Helene devastated parts of the Southeast. Biden emphasized that the White House had previously requested additional funding for this program as part of the short-term funding bill passed in September.

Johnson also addressed claims by some Republicans that FEMA was diverting disaster funds to support migrants crossing the southern border. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called these allegations “categorically false” on Friday.

Johnson acknowledged that FEMA’s funding for disaster relief and migrant assistance comes from separate budgets but alleged, without evidence, that the Biden administration, along with Vice President Kamala Harris and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, was engaged in “a program” using taxpayer dollars to assist migrants. He suggested that these funds were being used to reimburse nongovernmental organizations for transporting migrants.

“The American people are disgusted by this,” Johnson said, promising that if Republicans gain unified control of the government after Nov. 5, “sanity” would be restored to the situation.

Johnson’s comments come amid a politically charged debate over disaster relief, immigration, and government spending just weeks ahead of the presidential election. Whether Congress returns early or waits until after the election remains an open question, as both parties prepare for a potential battle over funding and resources.

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