Disaster Aid: Congress Haggles Over the Details

Lawmakers in Congress are trying to agree on a bill to help communities hit by disasters. Both sides want to replenish disaster funds, but they can't agree on everything else. House Republican Tom Cole from Oklahoma says they need a strong package, but he's not sure about all the extra programs the administration wants. He thinks there should be more money for infrastructure and less for other programs. Congress hopes to finish the bill by the end of the year.

The Disaster Relief Fund is running low, with only $5 billion left. If it runs out, the U. S. can still respond to emergencies, but not help with long-term recovery. This could hurt places like Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas, which were hit by recent hurricanes, and Hawaii, still recovering from wildfires. The White House suggested a $98 billion plan to refill the fund. Senator Susan Collins from Maine thinks the amount might be right but has questions about some parts. Other Republicans, like Senators Shelley Moore Capito from West Virginia and Rick Scott from Florida, have their own ideas. Capito wants to make sure there's no extra money for education, and Scott wants to add tax cuts.

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