House Passes Critical Disaster Relief for Americans
Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 10545, the American Relief Act, 2025.
Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) said, “Disasters know no bounds—they impact cities and states across this nation, leaving communities with destruction and despair. It’s a dire reality faced by so many, including my own constituents in Oklahoma. In the face of recent disasters, Americans throughout the country stepped up to help their fellow Americans, and so must Congress.
“Today, the House acted to provide much-needed assistance in a unified and bipartisan voice as people across the country navigate a way forward. We also supported our farmers, ranchers, and producers to safeguard family farms and ensure food and agriculture security for our nation. The process of recovering from monumental loss demands proper federal support, and this legislation is focused on helping the U.S. heal and rebuild stronger. I encourage our colleagues in the Senate to advance this bill to bring relief to crises felt in every corner of our great nation and keep our government working.”
The American Relief Act Strengthens Our Hand:
As the 119th Congress – and our unified government – quickly approaches, House Republicans have the opportunity to chart a fiscally responsible path forward. This CR gives House Republicans even more leverage as we negotiate final-year funding bills that fulfill the mandate of the American people and our America First agenda.
Details:
- Provides much-needed relief to Americans struggling to recover from natural disasters.
- Includes $110 billion in disaster assistance for relief efforts in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Oklahoma, and Western regions, among others.
- $31 billion for disaster and economic assistance to agriculture producers.
- $29 billion for FEMA’s response, recovery, and mitigation activities related to Presidentially declared major disasters, including Hurricanes Milton and Helene.
- $3.4 billion to repair storm damage at Department of Defense installations.
- $12 billion for the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program to help local, state, and Tribal governments recover from Presidentially declared disasters.
- $8.1 billion for the Federal Highway Administration Emergency Relief Program to reimburse states for highway and bridge repairs.
- $2.2 billion to support small businesses and individuals through the SBA disaster loan program.
- Includes funding for the SBA Office of Inspector General for audits and reviews of disaster loans.
- $1.81 billion to support planning and design activities required to repair and replace military construction and veterans affairs infrastructure.
- $1.5 billion for rehabilitation and repairs, for studies and projects to reduce the risks of future disasters, and to address water infrastructure needs facilitated by the Corps of Engineers.
- $3.1 billion for infrastructure improvements for drinking water and wastewater systems.
- $2.3 billion for repairing roads and facilities within national parks and rehabilitating historic structures in communities impacted by disasters.
- $6 billion for repairing national forest roads and facilities.
- $362.5 million to support rural community water and waste, housing, and community facility disaster recovery.
- $312.7 million for U.S. Coast Guard disaster response and recovery efforts.
- $14 million to support public safety by repairing law enforcement training facilities damaged by hurricanes.
- Targets resources toward rural communities, particularly farmers and ranchers facing both a tough farm economy and the aftermath of multiple disasters.
- Keeps our government open and working for the American people.
- Allows President Trump to participate in the FY25 appropriations process.
- Prevents a costly government shutdown.
Chairman Cole’s floor remarks can be read here.
Bill text is available here.
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