Johnson says hurricane aid "can wait" until after House recess

• The Federal Emergency Management Agency has said it has enough funds to manage recovery operations for now, though it is expected to need additional funds in the long term.
• President Biden also warned congressional leaders earlier this month that Small Business Administration's disaster loan program "will run out of funding ... well before the Congress is planning to reconvene."

What he's saying: "It can wait because remember ... Congress appropriated $20 billion additional to FEMA so that they would have the necessary resources to address immediate needs," Johnson said on CBS' Face the Nation.

• That $20 billion was part of a stopgap government spending bill that extended funding until December at the previous year's spending levels.
• Johnson said that once FEMA assesses the cost of the recovery from the two hurricanes and sends a request to Congress, lawmakers "will meet and in bipartisan fashion, we will address those needs."
• "It would be premature to call everyone back now, because these storms are so large in their scope and magnitude, it's going to take a little bit of time to make those calculations," he added.

The other side: Johnson has faced pressure from House members in both parties who say the situation is urgent.

• More than 60 House Democrats signed onto a letter arguing that Congress must take "proactive measures" to respond to intensifying storm seasons, including substantial funding that ensures FEMA can maintain a state of readiness."
• They also said the SBA disaster loan program "must be replenished as soon as possible to help business owners rebuild their enterprises."