**Biden Urges Lawmakers to Bolster Disaster Relief Funding Amidst Growing Costs of Hurricane Helene**

President Joe Biden is calling on Congress to allocate additional funds for disaster relief programs, as the recovery and rebuilding expenses from Hurricane Helene are projected to soar to $200 billion over the next decade. In a letter addressed to congressional leaders, Biden emphasized the urgency of securing more funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) and the Department of Defense, stating that while these agencies can manage "critical life-saving and life-sustaining missions" with their current budgets, they will require more support to address the full scope of the disaster.

Biden acknowledged the extensive federal assistance already provided by his administration but highlighted that comprehensive disaster relief funding would be essential when Congress reconvenes on November 12. He also pointed out that immediate action on specific programs might be necessary before that date, even though Congress isn't expected to return before the upcoming election.

The appeal for more funding comes as Vice President Kamala Harris interrupted a campaign tour to visit western North Carolina, where communities have been devastated, and Biden surveyed the damage in the Carolinas, Florida, and Georgia. The President described the reconstruction efforts as a billion-dollar endeavor and stressed that "people need help now."

Tragically, at least 225 individuals have been confirmed dead due to Hurricane Helene, and the number is expected to climb as rescue operations continue. In Asheville, North Carolina, authorities are actively investigating 75 missing persons cases, and nearly a million people remain without electricity.

Biden's communication to lawmakers also highlighted the imminent funding crisis facing the Small Business Administration (SBA), which is projected to deplete its resources within weeks—well before Congress's planned session. The SBA, which aids small businesses and homeowners through its disaster relief loan program, requires an additional $1.6 billion to process approximately 3,000 daily applications related to Hurricane Helene.

Preceding the hurricane, the White House had cautioned that limited funds might force the SBA to halt operations due to prior payouts for other weather-related incidents and accidents like the Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore and the aftermath of Maui's wildfires. Early damage assessments from Moody's Analytics estimate costs at $34 billion, while AccuWeather's forecasts place the figure between $225 billion and $250 billion, with minimal coverage from private insurance.

The financial demands of Hurricane Helene have sparked political debate. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson suggested that post-Hurricane Helene financial needs will be reviewed comprehensively after the election, while former President Trump has criticized Democrats for allegedly misallocating Fema funds towards migrant housing. Both the White House and Fema have refuted Trump's claims, clarifying that the funds in question are part of a separate program to house immigrants awaiting US citizenship and not related to disaster relief efforts.

In the wake of the hurricane, Fema has already disbursed over $45 million to impacted communities, continuing its mission to support recovery and rebuilding in the affected regions.