Sen. Nelson: Disaster aid bill passes Senate

Earlier today, I voted for a $36.5 billion disaster aid package to respond to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, and provide help for recovery from recent wildfires. The bipartisan bill passed the Senate 82 to 17 and is expected to be signed into law by the President. This funding is in addition to the $15 billion I helped secure for hurricane relief in September.

The bill provides over $18 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Disaster Relief Fund (DRF), including nearly $5 billion for Community Disaster Loans. The DRF allows FEMA to direct, coordinate, manage, and fund response and recovery efforts associated with major disasters. Community Disaster Loans assist local governments facing a loss of revenue after a disaster by providing loans to cover essential services like fire and emergency services, policing, and garbage collection.

The bill also provides $16 billion in support of the National Flood Insurance Program, to ensure it can continue paying out claims to the survivors of recent hurricanes, and provides $1.27 billion specifically for food assistance for Puerto Rico.

In an effort to help Florida's agricultural industry devastated by Hurricane Irma, I filed an amendment to the disaster aid bill that would have provided $3 billion in disaster assistance to help farmers who lost crops due to this year's hurricanes. Florida's agricultural industry sustained more than $2.5 billion in damages due to Hurricane Irma, with more than $760 million in losses to our citrus industry alone.

I was disappointed that my amendment to help Florida farmers was not included in the final bill. However, the President has promised to include funding for agriculture assistance in a disaster supplemental funding bill expected to be considered in November.

To make sure Florida's farmers are not forgotten, I've placed a hold on one of President Trump's nominees and have made it clear that I won't lift that hold until Florida farmers get the help they need.

To view a speech I delivered on the Senate floor urging my colleagues to remember the plight of Americans trying to put their lives together after recent disasters please visit: https://youtu.be/Xm2cp-9Q-kk.

If you are in need of assistance because of any of the recent hurricanes, you may apply for benefits by contacting FEMA at: www.disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362) TTY: 1-800-462-7585.

If you or a family member need help with a problem concerning a federal government agency, please call my Orlando office toll-free at (888) 671-4091.

Sincerely,

Bill Nelson