10/18/2024

Congress Faces Packed Post-election Agenda

Many are asking them to return to D.C. early to fund programs to help hurricane victims

The House and Senate are in recess until after the November elections, but lawmakers will have a full plate of pressing issues to address when they return.

Congressional leaders are under increasing pressure to return to Washington early to respond to calls for additional funding from states ravaged by Hurricanes Milton and Helene. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced earlier this week that it has exhausted the available funds in its disaster loan program, which is used by businesses and homeowners who are affected by natural disasters.

What they're saying: “It’s unacceptable that Congress remains in recess while families and businesses across North Carolina and beyond are in urgent need of assistance,” said Rep. Wally Nickel (D-NC). “In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene our communities are struggling to recover and our small businesses are desperate for support as they work to rebuild. Their recovery efforts are stalled without additional funding.”

The House and Senate are out until mid-November and will also need to address government funding and a must-pass defense authorization bill in the lame duck session. House and Senate appropriators are still not in agreement on top-line spending numbers for the federal government in the 2025 fiscal year; the short-term continuing resolution (which funds the government at current levels until Dec. 20) left questions unanswered about funding for veterans’ healthcare, disaster victims and U.S. agriculture.

This article was provided to OSAP by ASAE's Power of Associations and Inroads.