Senator Ossoff Criticizes Trump Administration’s Denial of Hurricane Helene Relief for Georgia
Senator Jon Ossoff criticized the Trump administration for denying Georgia’s request for an extension of hurricane relief following Hurricane Helene. The storm inflicted substantial damages, particularly in agriculture, estimated at $5.5 billion. Despite appeals to FEMA for additional federal assistance, the request was rejected, prompting state officials to plan for budget adjustments to assist with recovery.
U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Trump administration’s rejection of Georgia’s appeal for an extension of hurricane relief following Hurricane Helene. In January, Governor Brian Kemp sought assistance from FEMA to prolong the reimbursement window for local government expenses related to clean-up efforts after the disaster, a plea that was also supported by Senator Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA). Despite their efforts, FEMA’s acting administrator Cameron Hamilton communicated on Wednesday that the extension request had been denied.
Hurricane Helene struck Georgia and other southern states in October, resulting in severe flooding and destruction. The storm claimed the lives of at least 34 individuals in Georgia alone. Financial estimates indicate that losses in the agricultural sector range from $5.5 billion in Georgia to $3.1 billion in North Carolina, compounded by substantial indirect costs linked to the storm’s aftermath.
In correspondence to President Trump, Ossoff and Warnock emphasized the importance of FEMA’s Debris Coverage Program in aiding affected communities in their recovery efforts. Conversely, while neighboring states like Florida and South Carolina received a 180-day extension for their funding programs, Georgia’s extension was limited to just 120 days, set to conclude on February 3rd.
Cameron Hamilton’s letter indicated that the requested funding increase for major disaster aid related to FEMA-4830-DR was unwarranted and denied the request for extending the period of full federal funding for debris removal. However, he noted that the decision could be appealed within a 30-day window.
Senator Ossoff criticized the denial, stating it undermines the ongoing recovery efforts in Georgia, where local governments continue to grapple with the storm’s devastation. Furthermore, a spokesperson for Governor Kemp highlighted that the state budget would include provisions to cover the 25% local funding share necessary after the federal reimbursement period ends, ensuring that clean-up expenses continue to be addressed.
The refusal by the Trump administration to extend hurricane relief funding has drawn sharp criticism from Senator Jon Ossoff and other state officials. With significant economic losses still impacting farmers and local governments in Georgia, the state is pursuing alternative funding solutions to support recovery efforts. This situation underscores the ongoing challenges faced by communities affected by Hurricane Helene, necessitating urgent federal assistance.
Original Source: www.fox5atlanta.com
