WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tonight, the U.S. Senate passed a comprehensive disaster aid package shaped by U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), which will help states like Vermont recover from extreme weather and climate disasters by delivering more than $100.4 billion of relief. The American Relief Act, 2025 will also fund the government through March 14, 2025. It now goes to President Biden’s desk for his signature.
Senator Welch released the following statement after the vote:
“As I said in the days after Vermont’s catastrophic flooding in July 2023 and again in July 2024, it is the federal government’s job to stand up and help our neighbors when—through no fault of their own—a disaster hits. Senator Sanders, Congresswoman Balint and I have worked with our colleagues in other disaster-impacted states, across the aisle, and across the Capitol to get comprehensive disaster aid to President Biden’s desk. This bill will help communities in Vermont recover stronger and more resiliently than before the floods—and help so many other communities across America that are also recovering from extreme weather disasters.
“This bill will help Vermont’s homeowners get the buyout they’re waiting for, farmers and small businesses access the assistance they need, and provide communities flexible recovery funding. It will replenish FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund, rebuild our highways and bridges, reimburse states for the repairs made after storms, and so much more. It will also, importantly, keep the government funded—something that shouldn’t be up for debate, and shouldn’t be used as a political football in the 11th hour.
“I promised we would not abandon Vermonters. I promised we would do everything possible to help Americans who were caught in the path of terrible storms. I’m proud that a bipartisan group of my colleagues found a way to work together, through the chaos of the past week, to get this over the finish line for families counting on this relief. I look forward to President Biden signing our bill for flood-impacted Vermonters.”
Senator Welch and the Vermont Congressional Delegation have advocated for disaster aid funding since Vermont’s catastrophic floods of July 2023. It contains many of his top priorities for the State: dedicated help for Vermont’s flood-impacted farmers, flexible spending through the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Relief fund, money for FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund, and support for businesses through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), among so much more.
In addition to helping disaster victims the bill will fund the will also fund the government through March 14, 2025, extend portions of the Farm Bill, help farmers with emergency economic assistance, and renews some expiring public health and Medicare programs.
Senator Welch spoke on the Senate floor last night about the need to work together to pass disaster aid for Vermont and communities across America. Watch Senator Welch’s remarks here:
Background on the Comprehensive Disaster Aid in the Continuing Resolution:
$100.4 billion in disaster aid:
- $29 billion will fund FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund (DRF)
- More than $33 billion is dedicated to supporting agriculture, which includes:
- $21 billion for disaster assistance to farmers and producers, including dedicated funding set aside via block grants for Vermont disaster victims who experiences crop, timber, livestock and on-farm infrastructure losses for 2023-2024;
- $920 million for the Emergency Watershed Protection Program, to provide financial assistance to support debris removal and watershed restoration;
- $362.5 million for the Rural Disaster Assistance Fund, to allow USDA Rural Development to quickly and flexibly address disasters-related needs using its existing programs, tailored to the specific needs of affected communities; and
- $25 million in commodity assistance, which can help states with nutrition assistance.
- The disaster aid funding also includes other funding:
- $12 billion in Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Relief funds to help communities recover with flexible funding;
- $8 billion for the Federal Highways Administration emergency relief to reimburse states impacted by natural disasters; and
- $2.25 billion for SBA loans.
All official press releases from Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT)
