Press Releases
VIDEO: Rubio Meets with Panama City Officials in DC on Disaster Funding, Hurricane Michael Recovery
Apr 30 2019
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) met with Panama City officials to discuss ongoing issues they are facing in their Hurricane Michael recovery efforts and the urgent need to pass a disaster relief package. Despite devastating Florida’s Panhandle nearly seven months ago, Congress has yet to put politics aside and pass a disaster relief package to help communities recover from Hurricane Michael, and other natural disasters.
This afternoon, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced additional Federal grants for the State of Florida associated with Hurricane Michael. Panama City will receive $2.483 million and Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative, Inc. will receive $31.597 million for Emergency Protective Measures.
“It’s shameful that my colleagues have decided to play politics with disaster funding at the expense of survivors in the Panhandle who are still suffering and trying to piece their lives, homes, and communities back together,” Rubio said. “Today, I hosted Panama City officials in D.C., and they reiterated just how dire this situation has become. My message to them and to all Hurricane Michael survivors is that you have not been forgotten. I will continue to make the case to my colleagues that it’s time to put politics aside and do what’s right — it’s time to pass a comprehensive disaster relief package.”
City attendees included: Greg Brudnicki, Mayor, Panama City; Mark McQueen, City Manager, Panama City; and Bill Husfelt, Superintendent, Bay County. Former U.S. Representative Steve Southerland (R-FL) also attended the meeting.
Broadcast quality video of the meeting can be found here.
Related:
This afternoon, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced additional Federal grants for the State of Florida associated with Hurricane Michael. Panama City will receive $2.483 million and Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative, Inc. will receive $31.597 million for Emergency Protective Measures.
“It’s shameful that my colleagues have decided to play politics with disaster funding at the expense of survivors in the Panhandle who are still suffering and trying to piece their lives, homes, and communities back together,” Rubio said. “Today, I hosted Panama City officials in D.C., and they reiterated just how dire this situation has become. My message to them and to all Hurricane Michael survivors is that you have not been forgotten. I will continue to make the case to my colleagues that it’s time to put politics aside and do what’s right — it’s time to pass a comprehensive disaster relief package.”
City attendees included: Greg Brudnicki, Mayor, Panama City; Mark McQueen, City Manager, Panama City; and Bill Husfelt, Superintendent, Bay County. Former U.S. Representative Steve Southerland (R-FL) also attended the meeting.
Broadcast quality video of the meeting can be found here.
Photos courtesy of the Office of Senator Marco Rubio
Related:
- April 11, 2019: Rubio, Colleagues Decry Lack of Action on Critical Disaster Aid for Recovering Communities
- April 11, 2019: Rubio: Playing politics with disaster funding, Democrat obstruction hits new low
- April 6, 2019: Rubio’s office urged FEMA to increase the number of approved TSA extensions for Hurricane Michael survivors.
- April 3, 2019: Rubio, Scott Introduce Disaster Opportunity Zones Act to Aid Communities Recovering from Natural Disasters
- April 1, 2019: Rubio: Shameful to Play Politics with Disaster Funding
- March 28, 2019: Rubio Files Amendments to Disaster Supplemental to Increase Aid to Florida Communities
- March 27, 2019: Rubio Highlights Importance of Supporting Aid to Puerto Rico
- March 27, 2019: Rubio, Scott Request TSA Extension from FEMA for Floridians Affected By Hurricane Michael
- March 14, 2019: Rubio Introduces Border Security and Disaster Response Supplemental
- February 26, 2019: Rubio, Colleagues Introduce Major Disaster Relief Package
- February 13, 2019: Rubio, Colleagues Urge Congressional Leadership to Take Prompt Action on Disaster Funding
