Senator Marco Rubio | Official U.S. House headshot
Senator Marco Rubio | Official U.S. House headshot
Survivors of natural disasters who apply for, but do not accept, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans have faced penalties when seeking Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) disaster relief funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This unfair practice is set to change as U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL) reintroduce the Disaster Assistance Simplification Act, aimed at prohibiting this unjustified punishment.
The current disaster assistance process has been deemed unsynchronized and burdensome for victims of natural disasters. As Floridians, and thousands of Americans across the nation, continue to rebuild and recover from recent natural disasters, removing bureaucratic hurdles is imperative to ensure that no victim is penalized for weighing their hurricane recovery options," said Senator Rubio.
Senator Scott echoed these sentiments, stating, "Unfortunately, Florida has experienced multiple devastating storms, leaving families, businesses, and communities burdened with the task of rebuilding. Following the recent landfalls of major Hurricanes Idalia and Ian, there is an even greater need to ensure that families and businesses impacted by storms receive the relief they need. The Disaster Assistance Simplification Act streamlines government processes and eliminates bureaucracy. It is a commonsense bill that should pass without delay."
The reintroduction of the Disaster Assistance Simplification Act comes as a response to the challenges faced by survivors who have been penalized for not accepting SBA disaster loans. By prohibiting this penalty, the bill aims to simplify the disaster assistance process and provide much-needed relief to those affected by natural disasters.
For more information on the Disaster Assistance Simplification Act and its impact, please visit the following links:
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