Spanberger Grateful for FEMA Disaster Assistance for Virginia to Recover from Hurricane Helene, Urges Congress to Pass Emergency Appropriations Package to “Meet Any Unmet Needs”

Congresswoman: “Virginia’s Families And Businesses Will Need Additional Support As The Full Extent Of The Devastation Becomes Clear”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger today released the following statement after President Biden granted additional federal disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Congresswoman also urged congressional leadership to pass a supplemental appropriations package to support Virginia’s communities and communities across the Southeastern United States when the full scope of the devastation left by Hurricane Helene is understood.

“As communities across Southwest Virginia and across the Southeastern United States continue to grapple with the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, Congress must support those on the ground. FEMA federal disaster assistance will help communities rebuild — but Virginia’s families and businesses will need additional support as the full extent of the devastation becomes clear.

“Virginians have lost their lives, lost their homes, and lost their livelihoods. More than 160 Americans have been killed — entire communities destroyed. With continued power outages, a lack of cell service, and recovery efforts still underway across the Southeast, we are continuing to determine the magnitude of the devastation left in Hurricane Helene’s wake.

“To meet any unmet needs, Congress must pass an emergency appropriations package to provide necessary relief to the millions of Americans whose lives have been upended — and convene as soon as that unmet need becomes clear.”

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