Gov. Scott: After Months of Advocating, Federal Disaster Relief Heading to Florida

After months of advocating for Congress to pass disaster relief for Florida, Governor Scott made the following statement following the passage of disaster funding for Florida, Puerto Rico, Texas and California.

Governor Rick Scott said, “For months, we have worked to ensure that Florida is provided the needed federal relief following Hurricane Irma. In October, I personally traveled to Washington to begin this conversation with Florida’s entire Congressional delegation, Congressional leadership and various federal officials. Today, Congress finally provided the relief we were seeking for Florida families and businesses. The funding provided today will help the recovery of our state’s iconic citrus industry, better prepare our communities as they continue to welcome families displaced by Hurricane Maria and aid in Puerto Rico’s recovery. I’ve traveled to Puerto Rico three times since the island was devastated by Maria, and Florida continues to stand with our fellow Americans.

“At my request, this relief also includes funding to speed the critical repairs to the federally-operated Herbert Hoover Dike. During Hurricane Irma, I ordered the evacuation of many communities surrounding the Dike to keep people safe. At my urging, and after securing a commitment from the White House, Congress has finally made funding available for this federal project. I will continue to fight for these repairs and will stop at nothing until the communities and the environment surrounding the dike are fully protected.”

Action taken by Governor Scott following Hurricanes Irma and Maria to urge federal disaster relief:

• On September 28^th, at the request of Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosselló, Governor Scott traveled to San Juan, Puerto Rico to help coordinate response and recovery efforts following Hurricane Maria.
• On October 5^th, the Governor entered into a host-state agreement with FEMA – Florida is the only state willing to enter into this type of agreement to help families displaced by Hurricane Maria.
• On October 6^th, Governor Scott spoke with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue regarding Florida’s iconic citrus industry.
• On October 11^th, Governor Scott traveled to Washington D.C. joined by Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam to meet with members of the Florida congressional delegation to discuss Hurricane Irma and Florida’s citrus industry.
• On October 11^th, Governor Scott met with Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen, Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture Congressman Mike Conaway, Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security Congressman Michael McCaul, and Congresswoman Jenniffer González-Colón.
• On October 11^th, November 13^th and November 17^th, the Governor spoke with White House Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney regarding federal disaster relief.
• On October 26^th, President Donald J. Trump instructed the Director of the Office of Management and Budget Mick Mulvaney to accelerate the completion of repairs to Florida’s Herbert Hoover Dike.
• On October 30^th, the Governor’s office sent a letter to the Office of Management and Budget. See the letter HERE.
• On November 3^rd, Governor Scott led a delegation of Florida utility providers to Puerto Rico at the invitation of Governor Ricardo Rosselló.
• On November 9^th, the Governor activated the State Emergency Response Team to assist families displaced by Hurricane Maria. See the Governor’s press release HERE.
• On November 15^th, the Governor sent a letter to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Ryan urging them to support Florida’s recovery following Hurricane Irma, Florida’s efforts to support those displaced from Puerto Rico by Hurricane Maria and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ongoing repairs to the Herbert Hoover Dike. See the Governor’s letter HERE.
• On November 28^th, Governor Scott spoke with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson regarding Florida’s recovery from Hurricane Irma.
• On December 15^th, the Governor spoke to House Speaker Paul Ryan urging immediate action to help Florida citrus growers.
• On December 19^th, the Governor spoke with Chairman John Hoeven of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies regarding Florida’s iconic citrus industry.
• On December 19^th, the Governor spoke with Congressman Vern Buchanan regarding citrus relief.
• On December 20^th, Governor Scott spoke with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue regarding Florida’s iconic citrus industry.
• On December 20^th, Governor Scott spoke with Senator Lamar Alexander, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development regarding repairs to the Herbert Hoover Dike.
• On December 21^st, Governor Scott spoke with Senator Lamar Alexander, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development regarding repairs to the Herbert Hoover Dike.
• On December 21^st, Governor Scott spoke with Congresswoman Jenniffer González-Colón regarding Puerto Rico’s recovery from Hurricane Maria.
• On December 22^nd, Governor Scott spoke with U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen regarding recovery efforts for Florida and Puerto Rico.
• On December 31^st, Governor Scott met with President Donald Trump regarding the need for federal aid for the recovery of Florida’s citrus industry and the needed repairs to the Herbert Hoover Dike.
• On January 3^rd, Governor Scott sent a letter to the United States Senate Committee on Appropriations urging the Senate to immediately pass a significant Hurricane Irma and Maria disaster relief package. See the Governor’s letter HERE.
• On January 11^th, Governor Scott spoke with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Brock Long regarding the FEMA Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program and the importance of continued communication between federal, state and local partners as families continue to recover from Hurricane Maria.
• On January 12^th, Governor Scott met with Governor Ricardo Rosselló and joined him for a Puerto Rico recovery town hall meeting to discuss ongoing relief efforts.
• On January 24^th, Governor Scott, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, California Governor Jerry Brown and Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rosselló issued a joint letter urging the U.S. Senate to improve and expeditiously pass supplemental disaster funding, and for Congress to send the bill to the President. See the letter HERE.
• On January 31^st, Governor Scott spoke with U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell regarding disaster relief funding.
• On February 1^st, Governor Scott spoke with Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and Florida citrus leaders regarding federal disaster relief.
• On February 5^th, Governor Scott visited Puerto Rico With Governor Ricardo Rosselló to assist with ongoing Hurricane Maria recovery efforts.
• On February 7^th, Governor Scott spoke with FEMA Administrator Brock Long regarding Governor Scott’s recent trip to Puerto Rico.

Highlights of the $89.3 billion federal disaster funding package includes:

• $3.597 billion for citrus and agriculture, which will help Florida’s iconic citrus industry after Hurricane Irma;
• $17.39 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers, which will help the federal government fund the much-needed repairs to the Herbert Hoover Dike;
• $1.65 billion for the Small Business Administration (SBA), which will provide much needed SBA disaster assistance loans to Florida job creators;
• $23.5 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which will help fund the recovery efforts of the State of Florida and local communities;
• $2.46 billion for the U.S. Department of Education, which will help aid all students, including those from Puerto Rico who are displaced in Florida at elementary, secondary, and higher education schools; and
• $28 billion for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which will assist in rebuilding and repairing Florida homes, businesses, and communities.