WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), a member of the Appropriations Committee, announced that the Homeland Security Appropriations bill approved by the full Appropriations Committee today includes $6 billion for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in disaster relief funding to support disaster recovery efforts, including Rhode Island’s historic flooding of 2010.

This emergency funding will be made available to help families, businesses, and communities recover and rebuild in areas where the President has declared a major disaster.  It was secured without requiring cuts from other important initiatives.

Compared to the Senate bill’s $6 billion, the Republican House version of the fiscal year 2012 Homeland Security Appropriations bill contains just $3.6 billion for FEMA disaster relief.

“This emergency relief is a down payment that will help families and communities across Rhode Island continue to rebuild from damage caused by past natural disasters, but more will be needed to help respond to the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.  I am pleased the Appropriations Committee took swift action to help Rhode Island and other states, and I urge Congress to approve this bill to help people and businesses that are still struggling,” said Reed.

This evening, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) announced on the Senate floor that he will propose a free-standing bill that would provide $6 billion in additional FEMA disaster relief funds.

Since January 1, the President has designated disasters (including Hurricane Irene) in 47 states.  According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, there have been 10 natural disasters this year with over one billion dollars in damage, the most since at least 1980.  The balance in FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund, which must cover these costs, is currently below $592 million.

After the full Senate passes its version of the measure it will have to be approved by the U.S. House of Representatives before it can be signed into law by the President.