Disaster Relief at Risk as Government Spending Bill Scuttled

Republicans in the US House of Representatives on Wednesday blocked a continuing resolution that would have pushed back the possibility of a government shutdown until March 2025 and provided billions of dollars in much-needed disaster relief to western North Carolina. 

House Speaker Mike Johnson scrapped the bipartisan measure late Wednesday, giving into pressure from President-elect Donald Trump, who denounced the bill following a campaign of public opposition led by unelected billionaire Elon Musk throughout Wednesday.

Musk objected to provisions that had been added to the bill including disaster aid, health care policy extenders, and a pay raise for members of Congress, among a slew of other additions seen as pork barrel spending.   

Democratic lawmakers raised the alarm on Thursday as North Carolina will lose out on billions of dollars that had been allocated for rebuilding communities in the wake of hurricanes Helene and Milton if no deal is made before midnight on Friday. 

US Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, a Democrat and ranking member of the House Committee on Appropriations, released a graphic that showed what was at threat, including $9.2 billion in supplemental disaster funding for North Carolina, the second highest of any state included in the bill behind Florida. 

“Hardworking Americans have bravely persevered after facing horrific disasters and have patiently waited for long-due assistance in managing and funding rebuilding and recovery efforts,” read a statement from DeLauro’s office. “This supplemental disaster funding is critical for reconnecting regions, regrowing economies, and restoring a sense of normalcy where disasters have upended day-to-day lives, and delaying these resources will only lead to greater suffering and slower recovery for all those who are desperate to move on.” 

US Rep. Wiley Nickel, serving his first term in US Congress as the representative of North Carolina’s 13th District, which includes portions of Wake, Wayne, Johnston and Harnett counties, took to Twitter to list some of the specific totals the bill had promised for North Carolina alone: 

• $1.2 billion for agriculture disaster assistance
• $172 million for the Small Business Administration’s disaster loan program
• $429 million for the National Park Service for hurricane damage
• $1.3 billion for repairs to the Blue Ridge Parkway
• $550 million for clean water access and wastewater repairs
• $4.9 billion for roads and bridges damaged by Hurricane Helene

“This isn’t just about numbers — it’s about getting our communities the help they desperately need,” Nickel wrote. “We need leaders who will fight for North Carolina, not block our recovery.” 

While Musk claimed that a government shutdown “doesn’t actually shut down critical functions,” and agreed with a tweet calling for the rejection of any legislation until Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20, US Rep. Alma Adams on Thursday warned of the impacts that a shutdown could have if no continuing resolution is passed by Friday. 

Adams pointed out that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits may be affected in a prolonged shutdown, inspections and other safety and regulatory activities by the Food and Drug Administration and Environmental Protection Agency will be delayed across the country, and funding for federal housing and rental assistance programs such as Housing Choice Vouchers may be jeopardized.

“This [continuing resolution] includes an extension of the Farm Bill, which supports our farmers and keeps folks fed — including more than 1.5 million people in North Carolina who utilize SNAP benefits,” Adams said in a statement on Thursday. “This bill would keep families fed. If we don’t pass it, we lose out on these investments and the government will shut down at 12:01 am on Saturday morning.” 

Many of the more than 50,000 federal employees working throughout the state, nearly 14,000 in Mecklenburg County, will be furloughed or made to work without pay in the event of a government shutdown. 

Air traffic controllers, Transportation Security Administration officers, and Customs and Border Protection agents are often asked to remain on the job without pay, though if some do not report to work it can cause significant delays and longer wait times across the country, including at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, the seventh busiest airport in the world. 

“As we head into the holiday travel season, our TSA agents should not be working without pay as a result of the shutdown,” Adams stated. “North Carolina deserves better, and that is why I am ready to vote for this Continuing Resolution and disaster relief funding today. I call on the Speaker to bring it back to the floor.” 

Read more: Charlotte Musicians Launch DIY Drives to Aid in Helene Recovery

Republican Sens. Thom Tillis, Ted Budd and Lindsey Graham held a press conference on Thursday to express that, while they agreed with Trump in rejecting the continuing resolution as it was presented, they would continue to work to get disaster relief passed before going home for the holidays. 

“I’m just saying to my colleagues, don’t forget the people who have been affected by these storms,” Tillis said. “Their future is literally in your hands.”