That tally includes $14 billion for recovery costs related to extreme weather events including Cyclones Laura and Delta, floods and wildfires during the last 18 months, prior to the recent destruction caused by Hurricane Ida in Louisiana, New Jersey and elsewhere.
In addition, the President Joe Biden administration asked Congress includes $6.4 billion for the resettlement of 65,000 evacuees from Afghanistan to help with transportation, government processing and public health screenings.
Shalanda Young, acting director of the Office of Management and Budget, in a blog post Tuesday proposed the spending be part of a stopgap spending bill, saying ‘it’s clear’ that Congress will need more time to pass a full 2022 budget.
Continuing resolutions typically are approved by Congress to keep the government operating when the annual appropriations/spending bills have not been approved before the fiscal year ends at the end of September.
‘The purpose of this guidance is to advise lawmakers on how to avoid severe disruptions to public services that could inadvertently arise from extending the previous year’s appropriations legislation without modifications,’ Young wrote.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said his party colleagues will work with GOPers to pass the additional funds quickly.
Joe Biden visited New York and New Jersey on Tuesday, two of the nine states hit by Hurricane Ida, and urged Congress to also approve his infrastructure plan, which includes actions to mitigate the effects of climate change.
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