Providing $36.5 Billion in Disaster Relief for Hurricane and Wildfire Recovery (H.R. 2266)

What is H.R. 2266?

(Updated March 2, 2020)

This bill was enacted on October 26, 2017

(Update October 11, 2017): This legislation has been co-opted through the amendment process to serve as the legislative vehicle for a disaster relief bill. Originally it provided for the hiring of additional bankruptcy judges. In its current form, this bill would provide $36.5 billion in emergency funding for hurricane and wildfire relief and recovery. Of the total, $18.7 billion would go to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Disaster Relief Program, $576.5 million would go to wildfire efforts, and $16 billion in funding would go to the National Flood Insurance Program to make insurance claims payments to individuals.

It would also modify the Disaster Nutrition Assistance Program (DNAP) to enable low-income residents of Puerto Rico to receive the same emergency nutrition assistance that other hurricane-affected states already receive.

Argument in favor

Residents of states and territories affected by hurricanes and wildfires need relief, and while there may be a need for more funding in the future this $36.5 billion will help many in the near term.

Argument opposed

Funding for disaster relief should be offset with spending reductions elsewhere, otherwise this will simply increase the burden the national debt imposes on future generations.

Impact

Residents of states and territories affected by hurricanes and wildfires, especially those with flood insurance claims or Puerto Ricans in need of nutrition assistance; FEMA; and the NFIP.

Cost of H.R. 2266

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

In-Depth: House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ) offered the following statement on the introduction of this bill to provide $36.5 billion in emergency hurricane and wildfire funding:

“These funds are urgently needed to get resources to families and communities that are still suffering. This legislation will continue immediate relief efforts, and help jump-start the rebuilding process. The bill also will provide recovery funds for this season’s devastating wildfires in the West. These funds are vital right now, in the near term, to get the aid where it is needed most. However, the recovery in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Texas and Florida will be ongoing, and more assistance will be required in the near future. My Committee will be vigilant in overseeing these funds and will continually monitor this crisis, and stands ready to provide the necessary funding to get these communities back on their feet.”

Media:

• House Appropriations Committee Press Release
  
• The Hill
  
• Reuters
  
• USA Today