Target: Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House
Goal: Fund disaster relief following destruction caused by two powerful hurricanes.
Politically motivated disinformation has already hurt disaster relief efforts in the wake of back-to-back hurricanes that devastated multiple states. Hundreds of deaths, countless power outages, and millions of dollars in property damage resulted from Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. Now, politicians are unwilling to do their jobs and stop relief funds from running dry.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has already been forced to tap into funds set aside for previous disasters because of Congress’ slow walking of disaster funds approval. The double whammy of the recent hurricanes has strained these funds even further, and another major hurricane could prove disastrous on disaster relief efforts. The Small Business Administration has also been hit hard, as its assistance program is running low on funds after the hurricanes. As a result, the smaller businesses that are the lifeblood of the American economy are facing perhaps insurmountable obstacles in their rebuilding efforts.
Congress is currently out on yet another recess. Many members are using their free time to attack the very agencies they are starving of funding. The one thing they seem unwilling to do is to put their reelection campaigns and grabs for power on hold and reconvene for hurricane relief funding, despite pleas from leaders of the states most affected by these crises.
Sign the petition below to call on the Speaker of the House to reopen the door he slammed on a special session of Congress.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Speaker Johnson,
Hundreds of lives have been lost, businesses and schools have been shuttered, homes have been decimated, and entire communities have been shattered by the twin onslaught of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. How have the representatives of the people chosen to spend their time in the aftermath? They have spread disinformation, campaigned for reelection (sometimes on the back of this disinformation), and refused to do the job their constituents elected them to do.
FEMA is running on reserve, and the Small Business Administration is in even worse condition. Yet the Congressional aid that can help stop the bleeding and relieve the suffering of millions of Americans will apparently have to wait. Stop the finger-pointing and do your job.
Reconvene for a special session focused on relief funding at once.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Bill McMannis
190 Signatures