Politics & Government
Hurricane Harvey Texas: House To Act On Relief Money
It could take weeks or months to determine the full extent of the damage and the needs.
WASHINGTON, DC — Tropical Storm Harvey decimated the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast but is finally nearing its end, and the House is poised to provide relief money.
That's according to a House leadership aide who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations. Members of the Texas and Louisiana delegation urged swift action when lawmakers return from their summer recess next week.
The initial money would be a down payment for immediate recovery efforts. A larger aid package would follow that later on. It could take weeks or months to determine the full extent of the damage and the needs.
Find out what's happening in Houstonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Watch: How Harvey Relief Could Help — Or Hinder — Congress' Budget Deals
A request from the White House is expected within days, though it remains unknown how much money the administration will seek. (For more information on Harvey relief and other White House stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)
Find out what's happening in Houstonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Ride along with Houston neighbors in this #360video as they traverse #Harvey floodwaters to return home. Full story: https://t.co/FWtFLYISg3 pic.twitter.com/9rNvQByNtd
— The Associated Press (@AP) August 31, 2017
Harvey dumped nearly 52 inches of rain on at least one spot in Texas and at least 39 people were killed. Floodwaters have receded in some areas. The number of rescue calls from victims on rooftops, cars and other high grounds peaked around 900 an hour, and remain at about 500 an hour, with an uptick in the Beaumont, Port Arthur and Orange areas, the White House said Thursday.
Here's a #360video view inside the convention center that's Houston's biggest storm shelter. Full #Harvey coverage: https://t.co/yF1WPFpVDw pic.twitter.com/wBKLsQ8xhe
— The Associated Press (@AP) August 31, 2017
Some House GOP leaders have promised support for Harvey relief. Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy told lawmakers from Texas and Louisiana on a conference call Wednesday night that "we are with you." The call included federal officials from the Department of Homeland Security.
By AP Congressional Correspondent Erica Werner in Washington.
Photo credit: Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via AP
