House Passes AGC-Supported Emergency Disaster Relief

On Dec. 21, the House of Representatives voted 251-169 for AGC-supported legislation – the Emergency Disaster Aid Package – which provides $81.2 billion in emergency funding for Hurricane and wildfire relief in Texas, Florida, California, Louisiana, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It remains uncertain whether or not the Senate will vote on its version of the bill; however, senators from impacted states are strongly advocating for the bill.

The bill’s funds are critically needed to assist with the rebuilding efforts in communities impacted by this year’s devastating natural disasters. The majority of the funding will be distributed through the Federal Emergency Management Agency—$27.5 billion; the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant Program –$26.1 billion for housing and infrastructure needs; and the Army Corps of Engineers Construction Account – $10.5 billion for ongoing construction projects and to expedite construction projects that will help mitigate future disaster damage.

The legislation will also provide $1.4 billion for Federal Highway Administration emergency relief funding and an increase for other transportation accounts. A summary of the construction accounts in the bill can be found here.

Additionally, the bill reforms the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster response and recovery program.

For more information contact Sean O’Neill at oneills@agc.org or (202) 547-8892.