News

Survivors of natural disasters who apply for, but do not accept, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans have been penalized when the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awards Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) disaster relief funds. Every dollar of SBA loan money for which they are approved is a dollar less that can be awarded in CDBG disaster relief grants. 

U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL) reintroduced the Disaster Assistance Simplification Act to prohibit this unjustified punishment.

• “The current disaster assistance process is unsynchronized and burdensome for victims of natural disasters. As Floridians, and thousands of Americans across our nation, continue to rebuild and recover from recent natural disasters, removing bureaucratic hurdles is imperative to ensuring that no victim is penalized for weighing their hurricane recovery options.” – Senator Rubio

• “Unfortunately, Florida has experienced multiple devastating storms, which have left families, businesses and communities with a huge burden to rebuild. Following the recent landfalls of major Hurricanes Idalia and Ian, there is an even greater need to make sure families and businesses impacted by storms quickly get the relief they need. The Disaster Assistance Simplification Act streamlines government and eliminates bureaucracy. It’s a commonsense bill that should pass without delay.” – Senator Scott

Want more information? 

• April 2021: Rubio, Cruz, Scott Reintroduce Bill to Simplify Disaster Assistance for Hurricane Victims
• December 2017: Rubio, Kennedy, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Simplify Disaster Assistance for Hurricane Victims