Bipartisan push emerges to cut Congress' recess short
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Sen. Rick Scott speaks at a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 11, 2024. Photo: Anna Rose Layden/Getty Images.
A growing number of lawmakers in states hit by Hurricane Helene are pressing for Congress to return from its October recess to pass additional disaster relief funding.
Why it matters: It's an idea that even President Biden appeared to float on Monday, though congressional leadership has given no indication it will take such an extraordinary step.
- One House Republican close to leadership said it is "doubtful" Congress will come back into to session before its scheduled return in November.
Driving the news: Biden said during a press conference on Monday that his "expectation" is to ask Congress to pass a supplemental funding package to respond to the storm.
- Asked if he will ask Congress to return for a special session, Biden said: "That is something I may have to request, but no decision's been made yet."
- The devastating storm has left at least 120 people dead across half a dozen states as of Monday and resulted in widespread power outages and property damage.
State of play: Congress left town last week having passed a stopgap federal funding bill that included three months worth of funding for FEMA's Disaster Aid Fund at current spending levels.
- Many Republicans view that as sufficient, with one GOP lawmaker telling Axios: "The President has extraordinary ability to move resources now. And in the first 30 days of the fiscal year has plenty of time for us to authorize additional funds next month."
- But Democrats say additional funding needed to be tucked into the bill ahead of hurricane season: "Mike Johnson should have included it in the CR. We should return to DC," Rep. Wiley Nickel (D-N.C.) told Axios.
Zoom in: Several Democrats, including Nickel and Rep. Jared Moskowitz (R-Fla.), swiftly responded to the president's comments by publicly calling for Congress to return early.
- Multiple others, including Reps. Kathy Manning (D-N.C.), Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) told Axios they support such a move.
- "We must bring Congress back to session and schedule a vote on a robust emergency supplemental package to address the needs of our communities. Time is not on our side, and the need is urgent," said Wasserman Schultz.
The intrigue: It's not just Democrats. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) released a statement urging the Senate to "immediately reconvene" to vote on an aid package.
- Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) told Axios: "I would support coming back to DC to pass supplemental relief for the hurricane relief assistance."
- Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) supports returning to session early as well, a spokesperson told Axios.
