Sen. Doug Jones, D-Alabama, introduced a bipartisan disaster relief package on Tuesday alongside senators David Perdue, R-Georgia, Johnny Isakson, R-Georgia, Marco Rubio, R-Florida, Rick Scott, R-Florida, Tim Scott, R-North Carolina, and Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska. The bill is supported by President Donald Trump.
The legislation will provide relief for damage caused by Hurricane Michael, which hit the Southeastern United States in October 2018.
“In Alabama, we’ve seen our fair share of hurricanes, tornadoes and other severe weather over the years, but that doesn’t mean it gets any easier to experience a disaster or to rebuild after one,” Jones said. “Therefore, I’m proud to join Sen. Purdue to introduce this bill and help folks get back on their feet by providing $13.6 billion in additional disaster relief funds. The bipartisan legislation will help Alabama farmers who were hard hit by Hurricane Michael.”
The funding package provides approximately $13.6 billion in overall relief efforts to all affected in Hurricane Michael, as well as additional relief for farmers, rural communities, veterans’ health facilities, military construction projects and infrastructure needs.
An additional $600 million in nutrition assistance would also be provided to Puerto Rico.
“It is up to Congress to follow through and pass this critical, bipartisan bill,” Perdue said. “Our farmers and rural communities cannot wait any longer for disaster relief.”
