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The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) responds to major disasters through assistance to individuals, households, and non-federal government entities. The DRF is expected to run out of funds during the first week of August, in the middle of the 2023 hurricane season. The Biden Administration has failed to take the necessary steps to ensure that the federal government is prepared to respond to natural disasters in a timely and effective manner.

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and colleagues introduced the Disaster Relief Fund Replenishment Act to ensure FEMA has sufficient resources to continue ongoing disaster response and is prepared for unforeseen major disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires, and other events.

• “Congress cannot allow the Biden Administration to use disaster funding as a bargaining chip, doing so puts countless vulnerable communities at risk. Our communities deserve better than this. It’s time for Congress to act and provide FEMA with the funding they need for disaster relief.”  – Senator Rubio

Senators Rick Scott (R-FL) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) are original cosponsors.

• “Floridians know that responding to natural disasters is a team effort, which requires every level of government to be ready to assist families in need at a moment’s notice. This good bill will ensure the federal government can uphold its obligation to quickly deploy emergency funding and resources to communities and Americans impacted by natural disasters.” – Senator Scott

• “The federal Disaster Relief Fund has been drained by recent severe weather, leaving us vulnerable for the future. The last few months have shown how vital ongoing crisis response is. This legislation would ensure FEMA is able to continue providing sufficient resources for unexpected disaster.” – Senator Wicker 

Looking forward … If Congress doesn’t act to prevent a shortfall in the DRF, there will be no funds for unforeseen major disasters until the end of the fiscal year.