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On Thursday, February 15, Texas House members held a press conference to speak on the inclusion of an $89 billion disaster relief funding package for areas that were affected by hurricanes.

“I would like to thank members of the Texas Delegation for joining me today to discuss the recent passage of the Bipartisan Budget Act, which provides funding for a number of essential programs,” said Congressman Cuellar.  “This important piece of legislation is especially important to Texas, because it does important things for our communities by increasing the limits on both defense and non-defense spending caps, extending the authorization for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and provides additional funding for community health centers.”

The Bipartisan Budget Act also includes $89 billion in emergency supplemental appropriations to respond to natural disasters like the ones we saw in the summer and fall of 2017, including Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, and wildfires in California. This emergency disaster supplemental includes necessary funding:

·         $2.36 billion for crop and related agricultural losses from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria and other hurricanes and wildfires,

·         $17.398 billion for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,

·         $1.65 billion for Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Assistance, which provides low-interest loans to small businesses and homeowners in all affected areas.

“Although we are happy to see funding allocated towards helping our communities affected by these natural disasters, there is much more that needs to be done in Congress. It is the federal government’s responsibility to ensure that citizens receive the resources needed to recover from natural disasters. These were devastating disasters with serious consequences that require sufficient monetary assistance.

Congressman Cuellar continued, “I will continue to work with my colleagues to obtain the necessary, substantial funding, so that families can quickly rebuild communities and be better equipped to withstand future disasters.”

Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) joins Texas House members in a press conference on disaster relief supplemental funding on Thursday in Washington. In attendance: Representatives Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Pete Olson (TX-22), John Culberson (TX-07), Gene Green (TX-29), Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30, and Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18)

Watch the press conference video here