FEMA Is Running Out of Money

[muriel_volestrangler]

With Hurricane Harvey recently devastating Texas and Hurricane Irma expected to slam into Florida and the Southeast later this week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is largely out of money, according to news reports.

Bloomberg reports FEMA only had $1.01 billion on hand as of 10 a.m. ET Tuesday, with just $541 million of that "immediately available" for response and recovery efforts. The spend rate at the agency as Harvey assistance continues is $9.3 million per hour.

At that rate, the agency will be completely drained when Irma strikes, unless Congress approves additional funding this week. The Trump administration has asked lawmakers to add nearly $8 billion to FEMA's cofers. A vote on that is expected in the House of Representatives Wednesday, with the Senate to follow shortly thereafter. There is some speculation the Senate may attach a rider suspending the federal debt limit to the FEMA funding bill, which would require another vote by the House.

FEMA's financial crisis comes at what could be a critical time. Harvey is expected to be the most expensive hurricane in U.S. history and Irma is being called "catastrophic" by storm watchers. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Jose, also brewing in the Atlantic, is expected to become a hurricane later today.

http://fortune.com/2017/09/06/fema-out-of-money/

[MineralMan]

1. No surprise there,

And the $8 billion request will be just a drop in the bucket, compared to what will be needed. The strategy is what it always is: "Be seen to be doing something while the spotlight is on you, and then stop worrying about it. People's attention spans are short."

And now with Irma looming, it's clear that there will not be enough money for all of this. It's just not going to happen. the Republicans are sitting on the nations's wallet, as usual, seeing that money as their own to use as they see fit, and they don't give a damn about people harmed by hurricanes and flooding.

Welcome to the World according to Republicans.

[MattP]

2. A tax cut sounds like a great idea to help

It's the cure for everything

[LanternWaste]

3. Trumps 2018 budget blueprint proposed more than $1 billion in cuts to FEMA

Trump’s 2018 budget blueprint proposed more than $1 billion in cuts to FEMA—11 percent of its total footprint.

The proposal would make major cuts to six FEMA grants, including its two largest for preparing for and responding to emergencies.

It would also entirely eliminate grants funding for emergency food and shelter and training for first responders.

[lpbk2713]

4. Trump couldn't care less.

Now watch this drive.

[MiniMe]

5. Not so sure about that

He will be first in line if Mar-a-Lago gets hit!

[gratuitous]

6. First in line and last in line

If you know what I mean.