Supplemental Appropriations for the 2004 Hurricanes and Other Disasters

Publication Date: September 2005

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

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Research Area: Environment

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Abstract:

After a series of devastating hurricanes struck Florida and other states in the summer of 2004, the 108th Congress passed two emergency supplemental appropriations statutes that provided an estimated $16.475 billion to areas stricken by the hurricanes and other natural disasters. The House and Senate quickly approved legislation (H.R. 5005) the day after President Bush submitted a request on September 6, 2004, for $2 billion in FY2004 funding, largely in response to the devastation caused by Hurricanes Charley and Frances in Florida. The President signed the bill into law (P.L. 108-303) on September 7. All of the $2 billion was for assistance provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The second supplemental, this one coming in FY2005, largely reflected four other requests submitted to Congress after Hurricanes Ivan and Jeanne continued the run of damage in Florida and other southern and eastern states. After weeks of debate, Congress agreed to incorporate revised provisions from a House-passed supplemental disaster measure (H.R. 5212) into the FY2005 Military Construction Appropriations Act (H.R. 4837). President Bush signed the legislation (P.L. 108-324) on October 13, 2004. Division B of P.L. 108-324 contained $14.475 billion in supplemental funding, including $6.5 billion for additional FEMA assistance, $3.45 billion for agricultural losses and recovery for 2003 and 2004, $1.2 billion for emergency highway funds, and $929 million to cover the cost and administration of Small Business Administration loans, among other provisions. A portion of the agricultural spending was offset by a $2.858 billion reduction in spending authority for an agricultural conservation program over a multi-year period, with reductions beginning in FY2008.

While few debated the need for federal disaster assistance, considerable discussion occurred on the scope of the legislation. Members representing midwestern and western states contended that the continuing drought affecting their farming constituents constituted a disaster that required aid beyond that previously provided. The Administration did not request agricultural aid to producers in states not affected by the hurricanes. The other issue that was a matter of public debate focused on a proposed amendment in the House to fully offset the cost of the FY2005 supplemental through a proportional reduction in discretionary funds; the House rejected the amendment.

This report will not be updated. However, the issues and responses that were considered by Congress in 2004 are likely to be relevant to the 109th Congress as it is faced with how to respond to Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters in 2005.