Carolina Senators Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) have threatened to vote against any government funding package that does not include disaster relief for the victims of hurricanes Helene and Milton, which caused widespread devastation in their states.
The announcement came after President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance urged Congress to pass a clean stopgap funding measure combined with language to raise the debt limit. While Trump and Vance supported including aid for farmers and disaster relief in the year-end funding deal, the proposed package is currently insufficient to address the full extent of damage caused by the hurricanes.
Disaster Relief Must Be a Priority
Carolina Senators Tillis stressed the need for tens of billions of dollars in disaster relief, asserting that the $100 billion included in the current continuing resolution falls short of what is needed. He explained that the damage from the storms requires immediate and significant funding to provide adequate recovery.
We need disaster relief in the tens of billions of dollars, Tillis said, highlighting that promises to revisit the issue in March are not a satisfactory solution. He emphasized the importance of including sufficient funding now to address the known damages.
Similarly, Senator Graham described the destruction in South Carolina as unprecedented, surpassing even the devastation caused by Hurricane Hugo in 1989. He stated that disaster relief is essential for his state and that he cannot support any funding package that does not include it. Graham also mentioned that President-elect Trump has committed to ensuring disaster relief is part of any government funding deal.
Graham further urged his colleagues to strip unnecessary funding provisions from the continuing resolution and pass a simpler package that prioritizes disaster relief.
Republican Leaders Seek Compromise
The Carolina senators’ comments came as House Republican leaders, including Speaker Mike Johnson, met to finalize plans for avoiding a government shutdown. Johnson is expected to hold a vote on a proposal to fund the government through March 14. The package under consideration includes $100 billion for disaster relief and $10 billion for economic assistance to farmers.
However, the proposed plan has faced criticism for including unrelated provisions, such as a pay raise for members of Congress and a measure to allow the year-round sale of gasoline with a higher ethanol blend (E15). Republican leaders have reportedly decided to remove these provisions to streamline the funding bill.
Pressure Mounts as Deadline Approaches
The debate over disaster relief funding highlights the challenges lawmakers face as the government shutdown deadline looms. Speaker Johnson is under pressure to deliver a funding package that satisfies both factions within the Republican Party and addresses the urgent needs of states hit by recent natural disasters.
Without adequate disaster relief, states like North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida may struggle to recover from the extensive damage caused by the hurricanes. Both Tillis and Graham have made it clear that disaster relief is non-negotiable for their support of the funding package.
The outcome of these negotiations will determine not only the federal government’s ability to remain open but also the speed and scope of recovery efforts in disaster-affected states. The Carolina senators’ firm stance underscores the urgent need for bipartisan cooperation to address the devastating impact of these storms.
