Rep. Robert Pittenger
WASHINGTON – In the immediate aftermath of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, $110 million in FEMA projects for North Carolina were frozen to ensure adequate emergency funding.
Following passage of two separate funding bills supported by Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09), FEMA today lifted the freeze, allowing the North Carolina projects to continue.
“FEMA protocol freezes long-term projects immediately after major disasters to ensure enough cash on hand to meet life-threatening needs,” explained Congressman Pittenger. “This is why President Trump and I fought to pass Hurricane Harvey funding on September 6th and full-year funding for FEMA on September 14th. There were some who attempted to score political points on those votes, but the responsible decision was to fund FEMA and enable North Carolina’s recovery to continue.”
Prior to the recent hurricanes, Congressman Pittenger helped secure over $1 billion in Hurricane Matthew recovery assistance for North Carolina, including working with HUD Secretary Dr. Ben Carson to secure an additional $32 million in HUD disaster assistance from remaining funds.
Within the past month, Congressman Pittenger has met with Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney, senior officials at both HUD and FEMA, and had a conversation with House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman John Carter (TX-31) to discuss North Carolina’s ongoing needs for Hurricane Matthew recovery assistance.
Congressman Pittenger has a full-time office in Fayetteville, with regular office hours in Lumberton and Elizabethtown. Local residents who need assistance with FEMA or other federal disaster assistance programs should contact his office at 910-303-0669.
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