President Trump signs $19.1 billion in disaster aid

President Trump signed a long-delayed $19.1 billion disaster aid package June 6 that will provide additional funding for recovery efforts stemming from 2018 disasters, as well as recent flooding in the Midwest. The House passed the measure June 3 on a bipartisan vote of 354-58 after the U.S. Senate passed legislation May 23.

The package allocates $2.4 billion for the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program, which is utilized by state and local governments to address unmet needs for housing, infrastructure, mitigation and economic development recovery in the wake of a disaster.

Additionally, $720 million is included to address ongoing recovery efforts related to last year’s wildfires.

With counties across the country serving as the main drivers for recovery and mitigation following a disaster, this additional infusion of funding is vital for communities to continue the rebuilding process.

Also included as part of the package was an additional extension of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) until Sept. 30.

This extension will grant lawmakers additional time to work toward a long-term reauthorization of the program. The House Financial Services Committee is expected to mark up a longer-term reauthorization bill soon.