The funding request includes $12.77 billion in disaster recovery funds, $577 million to address wildfires, and $15 billion to fund the flood insurance program. In early September, Congress authorized $7.9 billion in disaster relief funding to deal with damage caused by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, but the White House said it would eventually need to come back and seek more assistance. In late September, Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, prompting the White House to seek new funds even faster. On Tuesday, Hensarling declined to comment pending the official White House request for more borrowing authority. The official familiar with the program said the White House request would include reforms but did not specify what they might be.

Source: Washington Post October 03, 2017 23:36 UTC