[House Document 108-209]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
108th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 108-
209
REQUESTS FOR FY 2004 BUDGET AMENDMENTS
__________
COMMUNICATION
from
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
transmitting
REQUEST FOR AN EMERGENCY FY 2004 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION FOR THE
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
September 7, 2004.--Referred to the Committee on Appropriations and
ordered to be printed
The White House,
Washington, September 6, 2004.
Hon. J. Dennis Hastert,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Speaker: On August 27, I announced that I would
submit a supplemental request to the Congress of approximately
$2 billion to pay for comprehensive response and recovery
efforts after Hurricane Charley. This was in addition to
response and recovery efforts being undertaken by federal
government agencies using existing resources and programs.
Because of the severity and timing of Hurricane Frances, I
ask the Congress to consider expeditiously the enclosed
request, totaling $2.0 billion, for an emergency FY 2004
supplemental appropriation for the Department of Homeland
Security.
I hereby designate this proposal in the amount requested
herein as an emergency requirement. This request responds to
urgent needs associated with Hurricanes Charley and Frances in
Florida and other affected areas, and will enable the Federal
Emergency Management Agency to respond to additional disasters
should they occur.
The enclosed request requires immediate action by the
Congress to ensure that the immediate response efforts to these
recent disasters continue uninterrupted. I anticipate making a
further request in the coming days that will provide for a
comprehensive response and recovery effort addressing the
impact of both of these hurricanes. In addition, federal
government agencies will continue their response and recovery
efforts using existing resources and program.
The details of this request are set forth in the enclosed
letter from the Director of the Office of Management and
Budget.
Sincerely,
George W. Bush.
Enclosure.
Executive Office of the President,
Office of Management and Budget
Washington, DC, September 6, 2004.
[Estimate No. 9, 108th Congress, 2 Sess.]
The President,
The White House.
On August 27th, you announced that you would submit a
supplemental request to the Congress of approximately $2
billion to pay for comprehensive response and recovery efforts
after Hurricane Charley. Because of the severity and timing of
Hurrican Frances, I am recommending for your consideration a FY
2004 supplemental proposal, totaling $2.0 billion, for the
Department of Homeland Security. These funds are being
requested to assist in the immediate response efforts for areas
affected by Hurricanes Charley and Frances, and to allow the
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to respond to
additional disasters should they occur.
I anticipate recommending to you an additional request in
the coming days to provide for a comprehensive response to
these hurricanes once reliable estimates can be developed that
recognize the extent of both disasters.
The impact of two major disasters in a three week period
has put a serious strain on the resources available to the
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). On September 3,
2004, the Office of Management and Budget sent to the Congress
a notification that would allow FEMA to continue obligating
funds in anticipation of a supplemental request to the Congress
for urgent needs. In light of the expected additional costs
associated with the Federal response to Hurricane Frances and
the need to continue uninterrupted FEMA's emergency response
efforts, I recommend that you request immediate action on this
initial request.
This request provides $2.0 billion for FEMA to continue
support for immediate needs in response to Hurricanes Charley
and Frances. This funding will support assistance to families
and individuals, so that they can be sheltered, fed and
provided with medical and other care. Additionally, this
funding will assist with emergency protective measures and
debris removal in the affected areas. The request also allows
FEMA to transfer up to $30 million to the Small Business
Administration to ensure that its disaster recovery efforts
will continue uninterrupted.
This request fulfills known and urgent requirements that
cannot reasonably be met under the current FY 2004 funding
level. I recommend that you designate the proposal contained in
this transmittal as an emergency requirement.
I have carefully reviewed this proposal and am satisfied
that it is necessary at this time. Therefore, I join the
Secretary of Homeland Security in recommending you transmit the
proposal to the Congress.
Sincerely,
Joshua B. Bolten, Director
Enclosure.
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Emergency Preparedness and Response
DISASTER RELIEF FUND
For an additional amount for necessary expenses under the
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
(42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), $2,000,000,000, to remain available
until expended, of which up to $30,000,000 may be transferred
to ``Salaries and Expenses,'' Small Business Administration for
administrative expenses to carry out the disaster loans program
authorized by section 7(b) of the Small Business Act: Provided,
That Congress designates the amounts provided herein as an
emergency requirement for this specific purpose.
This request would provide an additional $2.0 billion for
the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) for disaster relief associated with
Hurricanes Charley and Frances, as well as other ongoing and
future disasters. The funding will support response efforts,
including assistance to families and individuals so that they
can be sheltered, fed and provided with medical and other care.
Additionally, the funding will support emergency protective
measures and debris removal in the affected areas and other
urgent response requirements. The request also allows FEMA to
transfer up to $30 million to the Small Business Administration
to ensure that its disaster recovery efforts will continue
uninterrupted.