Duval Times

Senator Rick Scott has joined a bipartisan group of senators urging for swift passage of disaster relief legislation in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. The group, which includes Senators Thom Tillis, Ted Budd, Lindsey Graham, Tim Scott, Raphael Warnock, Jon Ossoff, Marco Rubio, Marsha Blackburn, Bill Hagerty, Mark Warner, and Tim Kaine, addressed their concerns in a letter to Senate leaders.

"The devastation from Hurricane Helene across the southeastern United States is simply inconceivable," the senators stated. They expressed concern over potential further tragedies due to disrupted communications and power outages.

The letter highlighted that preliminary damage assessments suggest economic losses could reach tens of billions of dollars. "This amount will likely soar as recovery efforts continue and the full picture of this ruinous disaster becomes clear," they noted.

The senators emphasized the need for Congress to address these challenges promptly. "Although the true level of devastation is still unfolding," they wrote, "it is clear that Congress must act to meet the unmet needs in our states and address the scope and scale of destruction experienced by our constituents."

Earlier this week, Senator Scott called on Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to reconvene the U.S. Senate after damage assessments by FEMA and SBA are completed. He advocates for passing a clean supplemental disaster funding bill along with other relief measures like his Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act.

In preparation for Hurricane Helene's impact, Senator Scott maintained communication with the National Hurricane Center and received updates from FEMA post-landfall. He also visited several counties in Florida to assess local response efforts.

Floridians needing assistance with federal agencies during recovery can contact Senator Scott's office or find resources through state emergency management channels.