Case Announces House Passage Of Measure To Provide Continued Critical Disaster Relief For Lahaina

The resolution also prevents a threatened partial government shutdown

News Release from Office of Rep Ed Case, Washington,DC, December 20, 2024

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Congressman Ed Case (Hawai‘i – District 1) voted today on the bipartisan continuing resolution drafted by his Appropriations Committee to keep government programs and services funded until March 14, 2025.

The package also includes supplemental relief funds necessary to help Maui and other communities across the country recover from recent natural disasters. 

“Aside from highly disappointing and totally unnecessary last-minute drama leading up to this vote, this measure is critical to the millions across our country who rely on core federal programs for themselves and their families,” said Case.  

“Especially welcome is the continuation of disaster funding for which the Hawai‘i Congressional delegation has fought hard to help Maui recover from the one of deadliest fires in our nation’s history,” said Case.  

The House approved the bill by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 366-34. The Senate is expected to approve the bill shortly and send it to the President, who is expected to sign the bill into law. 

The bill also includes a one-year reauthorization of the Farm Bill, a comprehensive piece of legislation passed by Congress roughly every five years that directs U.S. agricultural and food policies. This will secure key agricultural support and food assistance programs as Congress works to complete a final version of the reauthorization.

Further details:  

 The bill includes further emergency funding for both the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Economic Development Administration, the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant Disaster Relief (CDBG-DR) program, all of which are critical to Maui’s recovery. 

The bill provides $12 billion to CDBG-DR, which is a crucial resource for the rebuilding of Lahaina. This federal funding program provides financial support for long-term recovery efforts in areas affected by natural disasters. For Lahaina, the CDBG-DR funding will assist in restoring homes, infrastructure and essential services, while also fostering economic revitalization. The funds will enable the construction of safe, affordable housing, support small businesses, and enhance community resilience against future disasters.

This funding will provide vital support to restore Lahaina’s social fabric, provide economic stability and ensure the long-term well-being of its residents. 

This bill provides $29 billion for FEMA’s key Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) so FEMA can continue its critical disaster relief work. The DRF is the primary federal funding mechanism used for disaster response, and it has been severely depleted in recent months as several severe storms, like Hurricanes Helene and Milton, devastated communities across the country, all while the DRF continues to fund long-term recovery for other disasters, including the Maui wildfires.  

The $1.5 billion allocated to the Economic Development Administration is designated for disaster-related purposes, including long-term recovery efforts, capacity building and addressing unmet needs in areas affected by natural disasters, such as the 2023 wildfires in Hawai‘i. These funds will support rebuilding infrastructure, mitigate future risks, and assist with the economic recovery of communities impacted by the fires. For Hawai‘i, this funding is crucial for restoring essential services, fostering resilience and ensuring comprehensive support for the state’s recovery and rebuilding efforts. 

The bill allocates $2.2 billion to the SBA’s Disaster Loans Program to address funding shortfalls. This includes $11.7 million in loans already approved for 38 Hawai‘i small businesses, part of approximately 17,000 nationwide awaiting assistance. The funding will help businesses and residents in Hawai‘i recover from past disasters, providing essential financial support for rebuilding efforts. The funds will remain available until fully expended, ensuring continued assistance for Hawaii’s disaster loan applicants to recover and rebuild. 

The measure also extends the Farm Bill for a year, a program that provides critical support for ranchers and farmers and helps ensure food security and promotes natural resource conservation. 

As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Case helped ensure that another vital program funded under the Farm Bill and administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Supplemental Nutrition Program, or SNAP, will continue to be funded. 

“This federal assistance is critical to the economic security and well-being especially of women and children in acute needs,” said Case.  

Other provisions in the bill of special relevance to Hawai‘i include: 

· $210 million for the U.S. Coast Guard to respond to damage caused by various natural disasters, including to fund necessary repairs at units in Hawai‘i impacted by the Maui wildfires.  

· Extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities until the end of 2026. 

· Increased mandatory funding for Community Health Centers and the National Health Service Corps. 

NOTE: The bill text is available here.  

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