Budget CR Does Not Include Supplemental Disaster Funding

By Steve Richer, DC Correspondent

Much to the surprise of many members of Congress, the Continuing Resolution (CR) which will keep the government running until December 20 did not include a requested supplemental appropriation for disaster relief. 

With over 100 already known dead from Hurricane Helene in the Southeast and wild fires ranging in the West, this lack of funds resisted by some members of Congress is further complicating the need to address the billions of dollars of damage already suffered in key tourism areas like Ashville, North Carolina. 

The four partisan leaders of the Senate and House agreed to stripping out the billions in supplemental funding for disaster assistance in the FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) budget, while keeping its level funding.  The decision hampers the extent of how well FEMA will function. 

It is possible that the supplemental funding will be reconsidered in the Lame Duck session of Congress, which will be held after the national elections. 

The Continuing Resolution passed the House 341-82 and the Senate 78-18. Opposition came from the more conservative Republican members of each house. 

IITA members should be prepared to support more disaster funding if it will assist key tourism destinations working to recover their viability.