The Administration made several additions to their request after the House Appropriations Committee identified further needs as a result of Hurricane Jeanne and Ivan.  All figures listed are the same as the President’s revised request. 

“This package fulfills the promise by President Bush to the people of Florida.  His Administration and particularly OMB Director Josh Bolton deserves a lot of credit for working with the Congress to fulfill the needs of impacted communities,” said Young. 

The package provides $2.9 billion in emergency assistance for agricultural producers experiencing crop loss caused by natural disasters including by drought conditions, hurricanes and other disasters.  It is offset with a limitation on expenditures in the Conservation Security Program. 

Does not include an extension of the Milk Income Lost Contract program.

Bill total:  $11.6 billion

President’s request:  $11.9 billion

n       FEMA--The bill provides $6.5 billion for disaster recovery efforts of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the same as the request.  $2 billion was appropriated early this month for FEMA.  FEMA uses these resources for a variety of disaster relief activities including direct assistance to impacted individuals and families, paying for debris removal and utility and infrastructure repairs and emergency food and shelter and to mitigate future damage to public and private property.  

n       Defense damage and recovery--$1.1 billion for DOD for costs associated with the evacuation, base preparation, base recovery, and damage to structure and equipment at various military facilities including the Pensacola Air Station.

n       SBA Disaster Relief loans--The disaster relief activities of the Small Business Administration are funded at $929 million.  This funding level will leverage $5.5 billion in low interest loans to individuals and businesses. 

n       Highway and Infrastructure Repairs--$1.2 billion for the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program for emergency repairs to eligible highways and roads affected by Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan, Jeanne, and Gaston.  Also includes $30 million for repair for airports and aviation facilities.    

n       National Parks and Wildlife Refuges—Provides $206 million to repair facilities, trails and clear debris from damaged National Parks, forests and wildlife refuges based on the most recent estimates from federal agencies. 

n       Agricultural and Rural Assistance—Includes $608 million, $247 million below the request, for assistance to rural areas.  These funds will be used to repair storm damage to community facilities, damaged waterways and watersheds and rural housing developments.

n       Beach Replenishment and Dredging—Includes $362 million for the Army Corps of Engineers to restore navigation channels, repair and rehabilitate coastal areas, beach renourishment, and address other projects in affected areas.

n       Economic Development—Provides $150 million for Community Development Grants for emergency expenses to help replace damaged homes, including replacement of destroyed farm labor housing and housing for other low-income persons, properties, and businesses, and for economic redevelopment projects.  

n       Health Services--$50 million for the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund to provide nutritional, medical and social services to affected elderly individuals and assist community health centers in the impacted areas.

n       NASA--$126 million for, including:  $89 million for repair of buildings and communications systems at Kennedy Space Center; $23 million for repair of equipment exposed to the weather; and $14 million to provide temporary workspaces for displaced employees.

n       Veterans Affairs—Provides $121 million to repair damage to Department of Veteran Affairs facilities. 

n       Coast Guard—Provides $33 million to reflect the most current damage estimates to Coast Guard facilities.

n       International Assistance—Provides $100 million for disaster and famine assistance funds to mitigate the damage from Hurricanes Ivan and Jeanne in Grenada, Jamaica, Haiti, and other nations.