GOP rebels go to war over Biden’s mammoth $98B disaster aid request
The ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus is making waves once again, this time by calling on Republican leaders to reject President Biden’s $98.4 billion disaster aid request. In a statement released on Wednesday evening, the GOP group demanded a slimmed-down package covering only what is “absolutely necessary,” to be offset with spending cuts elsewhere.
The House Freedom Caucus expressed concerns that passing a $100 billion unpaid disaster supplemental funding bill would allow Democrats to push through their own unrelated priorities in the final days of Democrat control in Washington. They believe it would be more prudent to wait for President Trump to take office and better manage disaster relief.
Lawmakers are currently negotiating over the size of the disaster aid package and whether it should be attached to an end-of-year federal funding bill to avoid a partial government shutdown during the holiday season. The devastation caused by hurricanes Helene and Milton, which claimed over 100 lives in North Carolina alone, has highlighted the urgent need for assistance.
While some, like Sen. Thom Tillis, believe a $100 billion disaster aid package may be necessary, fiscal conservatives are hesitant to approve such a large request without finding offsets in other areas of the budget. Rep. Chip Roy, the Freedom Caucus Policy Chair, has made it clear that he will not support a $100 billion package that is not paid for.
The situation is further complicated by the impending deadline for a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government past Dec. 20. Speaker Mike Johnson will need to work with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to pass a disaster aid bill this year. Rep. Chuck Edwards, whose district was severely affected by Hurricane Helene, is working with House leaders to craft a bill that meets the needs of those impacted by the storms.
As negotiations continue, the House is carefully reviewing Biden’s requested total to ensure that the funds are allocated appropriately and tied to disaster relief efforts. Speaker Johnson emphasized the importance of scrutinizing each line item to prevent unnecessary spending on superfluous items.
The road ahead is uncertain, but with the House Freedom Caucus taking a strong stance against the current disaster aid request, it remains to be seen how lawmakers will navigate the complex issues surrounding disaster relief funding in the coming weeks. Elizabeth Elkind, a politics reporter for Fox News Digital, will continue to provide updates as the situation develops.
