Lawmakers fear FEMA funds may run short

Lawmakers fear FEMA funds may run short

WASHINGTON — With Gulf Coast states still reeling from recent disasters and bracing for the 2011 hurricane season, congressional lawmakers from Mississippi and other states are worried disaster relief funding may run short by early next year.

Congress may have to approve extra funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said 2nd District Rep. Bennie Thompson, the top Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee with jurisdiction over the agency.

“We need to ensure that FEMA has enough resources to address disasters this year and next,” Thompson said. “This needs to be done without raiding grant funding or other support to state and local first responders.”

Clarion Ledger
6/11/11