UPDATE: Senate Approves $500 Million Disaster Aid Bill

UPDATE 3:50 p.m. (CST) : This afternoon, the U.S. Senate approved the bill that will send $500 million in disaster relief aid to Louisiana and other states.

Most of that money is expected to come to Louisiana. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Jefferson Parish anticipates the lower chamber will pass it too and Louisiana’s delegation expects Congress to approve another financial aid package in December.

I will continue to work with the lieutenant governor, Commissioner Strain and our entire congressional delegation to develop a comprehensive relief package for Congress to consider after the election," said Gov. John Bel Edwards. "For now, this down payment gives the people of Louisiana the reassurances they need that help is on the way so that they can begin rebuilding as soon as possible, and I am confident that the House will follow the Senate in approving this funding."

 

We’ve made a half a billion dollar down payment that will ensure these families have the resources they need to start recovering, rebuilding and prospering again," said U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy. "However, our work is not done, this is a down payment. The entire delegation will continue to press to make sure that every Louisianan has what they need to get their lives back. This is a good start.”

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It’s reported that Congress is no longer at a stalemate with the bill that contains federal flood aid for Louisiana, and the Senate is set to take up the proposed continuing resolution this afternoon. The version includes $500 million dollars in disaster assistance.

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy said earlier legislators were going back and forth because Senate Democrats wanted funding for the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, in the spending bill as well.

The $500 million flood aid package contains dollars earmarked for 16 states. Cassidy says a separate bill for Flint funding passed the Senate, but not the House. He says they’re still trying to figure out what it will take to get the continuing resolution approved in both houses.

The $500 million flood aid package contains dollars earmarked for 16 states. Cassidy says a separate bill for Flint funding passed the Senate, but not the House. He says they’re still trying to figure out what it will take to get the continuing resolution approved in both houses.

Congress is set to recess for the November election on Friday at midnight.

Cassidy says he is confident that assistance will be approved for Louisiana flood victims. But he says the question remains as to when that aid will come to the Bayou State.

“What I don’t know is whether or not he first pot of money will come this week, next week, or whether all the money will come in about 8 or 9 or 10 weeks when we come back after the election,” Cassidy said.