Speaker Mike Johnson's recent comments on hurricane aid have raised eyebrows, according to a report by KFOR.

The Republican from Louisiana stated that additional funding for states affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton could be postponed until Congress returns to session after the upcoming election.

During an appearance on CBS's "Face the Nation," Johnson defended his position when questioned by host Margaret Brennan. He argued that the delay is justified, citing a recent allocation of funds to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Congress's Recent Action on Disaster Funding

Johnson pointed out that just before Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida, Congress had appropriated an additional $20 billion to FEMA. This funding was intended to address immediate needs in the aftermath of natural disasters.

The Speaker emphasized that as of Sunday, less than 2 percent of this newly allocated funding had been distributed. He called on FEMA to "do its job" and disburse the funds to affected communities more efficiently.

Johnson's stance, however, has not been universally accepted within Congress. A bipartisan group of senators, including Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), have urged Senate leadership to consider reconvening lawmakers this month to pass disaster legislation before year's end.

House Members Push for Immediate Action

The push for immediate action is not limited to the Senate. House lawmakers have also called on Johnson to bring the chamber back into session. A group of Democrats sent a letter last week making this request.

Even within Johnson's own party, there are voices advocating for swift action. Representative Anna Paulina Luna, a Republican from Florida, took to social media to express her stance. She posted on X:

If Congress goes into a special session we can get it passed immediately. This needs to happen. @SpeakerJohnson call us back.

This bipartisan push for immediate action highlights the urgency felt by lawmakers representing states directly impacted by the recent hurricanes.

Funding Concerns and FEMA's Current Resources

The continuing resolution passed by Congress to avoid a government shutdown last month did allow FEMA to access its fiscal 2025 resources earlier than usual. This provision gave the agency access to approximately $20 billion starting October 1st for disaster response during the nearly three-month stopgap period.

However, it's worth noting that this resolution did not include any additional FEMA funding beyond this accelerated access to already allocated resources.

FEMA officials have stated that they have sufficient resources to respond to Hurricanes Helene and Milton until Congress returns. However, they also indicated that nearly half of the available money has already been spent, raising concerns about long-term funding for disaster relief.

Johnson's Perspective on Assessing Needs

Speaker Johnson defended his position by arguing that affected states, including Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina, need time to assess the damage from the storms and calculate their needs before requesting additional funds from Congress.

He stated:

As soon as that is done, Congress will meet and in a bipartisan fashion, we will address those needs, will provide the additional resources, but it would be premature to call everyone back now.

This approach, while methodical, has been criticized by those calling for more immediate action in the face of widespread storm damage.

The Ongoing Debate Over Disaster Relief

The debate over the timing of additional hurricane aid underscores the complex nature of disaster relief funding. While some argue for immediate action to address urgent needs, others, like Speaker Johnson, advocate for a more measured approach to ensure accurate assessment and efficient use of resources.

FEMA's current funding situation, the extent of damage caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and the approaching election all factor into this ongoing discussion. As affected communities continue to grapple with the aftermath of these storms, the debate in Washington over how and when to provide additional aid is likely to intensify.

Conclusion

Speaker Mike Johnson's stance on delaying additional hurricane aid until Congress reconvenes has sparked controversy. His argument centers on the recent $20 billion allocation to FEMA and the need for affected states to assess damages before requesting more funds. This position has met resistance from both Democrats and Republicans, particularly those representing hurricane-affected states.