celebrate histh birthday tuesday. to mark it c-span'smecan history tv will feature program related to his life starting 8:00 a.m. eastern on c-span 2. g programs are then governor jimmy cartecat the 1976 nl coention accepting the nomination. age elect cher and jmy carter's farewell address as he prepared to leav white house in january of 1981. that is tuesday on c-span 2. >> c-span is your unfiltered view of government. charter is proud to be recognized as one of the best internet providers and we are just getting started building 100,000 miles of new infrastructure to reach those

who need it most. >> charter communications supports cpan with these other television providers giving you a front row seat to democracy. >> a discussion about federal disaster relief funds. he is a reporter joining us now. a little bit about ene news. pres. biden: it is one of the biggest energy and environment news resumes part of politico and cover polls regulation, proerbgs and whatever it may be. host: even before we had to deal with hurricane helene how were we as far as the money needed for federal disaster relief? >> it was quickly running out. congress appropriated about $20 million in march and there was a back load and with multiple billion radar disasters that

money was on the verge of running out. we are facing a deficit of about $2 billion. host: you talked about backlog. can you explain how that works? >> fema had to implement immediate needs funding, something at the beginning of august. they had been providing money to deal with disasters and that money had, was close to running out so they implemented funding which so they can deal with life saving measures but they have to put on hold money to go to longer-term rebuilding. so that means they are not able to fund these continual recovery projects in states and it leads to short fall and communities in the lurch waiting. host: now that helene is there

with what happens now? pres. biden: we have seen the images from florida, confirms, georgia. we are seeing devastating flood ing over 100 deaths. what happens now is congress needs to provide a supplemental funding at the end of the year. what we saw passed last weeks allows fema to continue drawing money from current levels to help fund ongoing recovery efforts. but the first half administrator said as recently as last week that will run out by january and fema could implement pediatric needs as soon as january which would be unprecedented so there's a short fall now and will be another within so quick actions are needed. host: a short-term funding passes. no extra money there. why? >> there's some on something. disaster relief has to be a

bipartisan issue. but especially during an election year any additional funding on a package tends to be what controversy with back and forth with negotiations especially down to the government funding deadline can get a little tense and continuous. some lawmakers oppose the idea of additional funding and it complicates matters. there was a story last week about this and to get the government funding passed to prevent the shutdown they need to pass it with as little funning as possible. host: our guest with us talking about where disaster released in the 1-202-748-8201, and if you have been impacted in a state with natural disasters.

you can text the questions at 202-748-8003. within senator talking about you is the democrat from harassment. we will play a little bit of what he had to say. >> so many people on maui and texas and vermont and california and iowa an florida and 20 states total and unfortunately rising, they are waiting for help. and the federal government has not come to their aid yet. they have lost loved once, lost homes, lost businesses, they have lost livelihoods. and all they want is help and a little bit of hope to get their lives back to something close to normal. what are we doing as a congress if we can not deliver help to our fellow americans when disaster strikes? so, when we return in november,

passing disaster aid has to be the top priority of the united states congress. there's no excuse not to do this. host: he says top priority, but will congress make it the top priority? pres. biden: i think if you asked me that last week i would say no other at least that would be a big challenge. now, seeing the devastation from hurricane hell and images of flooding, destroyed highways, bridges, dams, over 100 dead i think you will see congress making it a priority especially before the election. host: the white house mick a request and will the congress honor that request? pres. biden: almost a year ago the white house requested over $24 billion for disaster relief, $9 billion to fema.

congress has not done anything on that. president biden re-upped that request a few months ago reiterating i didn't get this several months ago. you have not acted on it. there are additional needs. congress has still done nothing. i think we will see action on that want it remains if that is independent supplemental or broader spending package, possibly another c.r. but we will see some action. host: being continue to call if you want to ask questions the numbers 202-748 for the eastern and central. . (202) 748-8001 if you are in a state impacted we will tack those questions in a moment. we will take those quen a moment. with an update on how hard the state of florida has been hit, the republican of florida serves as the third district, thanks for giving us your time. guest: thanks. host: could you remind viewers,

what is it cover? guest: i know people refer to it as the big bend area. from the florida georgia line down to ocala to about an hour north of orlando, jacksonville, and out to the gulf coast. think about the area where you have dixie co., some people call it the forgotten coast. it is a huge part of agricultural area, i consider it to be old florida. host: as far as the impact of helene, how did your district fair? guest: this is the third storm in 13 months. our area has seen direct hits on our district in each of those storms.

to say it is catastrophic is an understatement. particularly in the coast. one of our commies, hamilton county shares a border with the georgia line. they saw winds of nearly 100 mile per hour. inland as far as on the coast. it is really devastating. our friends to the north and the carolinas also sustained tremendous damage from hurricane helene. host: how much was moved into the state before the storm and what has been their response so far? guest: when it comes to emergencies, this is not a partisan issue. we have a robust response. immediately we were looking for the declaration. a little thin in terms of what

it was covering. thankfully we were able to work with our state partners and get that in place. these storms are unpredictable and could change the trajectory significantly. there were quite a few assets in place. we were better prepared to deal with the aftermath. even still, this is one of the larger storms, category four. we saw 18 foot storm surge. nothing could truly prepare you for that type of devastation. host: what is the process of recovery from the federal level and how the federal government response? guest: that was in place, it

wasn't as robust as we would like. that was something we were going back and forth with the administration. immediately in the aftermath you see the federal government authorized category a and b, the debris removal, also debris such as broken pivots, that is really critical to get power and utilities to the area. it then comes immediately after. we see these storms time and time again. now, the recovery process, debris removal is paramount.

working with our state partners, after speaking with the administrator, hurry and i chatted about what that would look like in terms of the state taking point on this housing initiative. there's a lot of nonprofit partners, red cross, rubicon, so many different players that want to help get recovery initiated. they will step up and start looking at sustainable measures. it's not just every storm coming through, there are ways we could be smart about infrastructure moving forward. in the short term it's about getting power back on, people in homes that are safe and making sure we are getting people the help they need. host: one of the stories in the papers is how insurance picks

up, what are your concerns about the insurance companies to do so? guest: no surprise them florida we have been struggling with rising cost of insurance and providers leaving the state. insurance is the first step people are taking photos and submitting to their insurance companies. these areas are not predominantly -- places like the -- a lot of primary residence have lived there for 40 or 50 years and the homes are not insured. you have a tremendous effort from the community to help you build fema has resources to help these folks. for sure, insurance companies are the ship -- the first ones that people should apply to. there are insurance companies out there that can help those who are not insured, but it is frustrating that after so many

times of dealing with it, there is always some sort of delay or hick up and when it comes to events like this, people cannot afford to wait. host: we've been talking about the short-term funding that was passed. when you come back to congress, what is your expectation that additional money will be added in november? guest: i feel exceptionally confident. my district has taken three storms in 13 months and i can't tell you how frustrated we have been in florida with no movement on the disaster relief package that we passed out of the house that has been sitting in the senate with no action. that is tremendously frustrating because, as i said, we have been waiting through three hurricanes to be recognized in terms of that disaster relief fund. i think we will need another supplemental on top of this. it's not just enough to give the government going but you are not

meeting the needs of where the country is currently at, which is why we need to go through the appropriations process and be thoughtful and strategic about where we are going with a blank check or rubberstamp. there are people out there. my fear is that it turns into a political football. there is no room for politics when it comes to disasters and emergencies. host: cammack, -- representative cammack, the best to you and your residence as you recover. guest: appreciate it. thank you. host: before we take calls, a little assessment on what she had to say? guest: as expected, sounds like she feels confident congress will pass some kind of supplemental package before the end of the year and i think that is what a lot of people are expecting.

she mentioned disaster relief in the house. i think she was referring to a discharge petition built. providing tax relief to disaster victims, it would not provide additional funding for female or other agencies. host: why go the tax relief route? guest: i think it's a way for the individual victims to think victims

i have roads impacted by helene and prior to that. it seems like it is like pulling tooth to get our federal government to help them. what i don't understand is how can our federal government send millions of dollars to other countries affected by wars but won't help people here devastated by disasters. is there something we can don't as american public to help or encourage or demand our federal government give them what is

necessary or what they need to really rebuild their lives? what can we do? host: let's hear from brenda in washington state. caller: there was a caller from california but i want to touch on the congresswoman who said this shouldn't be a political football. i would remind her about sandy

hook and new york many republicans refuse to offer aid to them. what i wanted to call about is hurricanes come, you see them coming, there's such good media coverage and they are horrific. thankfully my niece and the wildfire as it happen in my state and in california. it just happens and everyone is like who cares. wildfires are horrific, too. and it is sad about insurance, it is a react -- racket we are in an earthquake plane and we pay through the nose for it but we have it. some cannot afford the

insurance, but anyway just address that people pick and choose their disasters and it can be very frustrating. host: brenda in washington state. pres. biden: wildfires are a major issue as well. host: yeah, there are morin con advantageal disasters taconic has been trying to find money for like the collapse of the baltimore bridge to the derailment in ohio last year. they are things that are making their way through congress as part of the discussion on disaster relief.

and we will determine if congress will act but lawmakers are looking to see funding. host: there is the national flood insurance. what is its status? host: it is one of the mosby -- most beleaguered systems in debt. there are members who are consistently pushing for reforms. however, there is always some friction there an in the past few years it h together. but the duration is through the end of december so that will be in place but there needs to be longer-term. host: let's talk to shelby in tallahassee, florida. caller: thanks for c-span. one of the things is the

disaster, the national disaster. washington brings up the point i'm making. i have family who do not have insurance. we as a family are having to come together to bridge this gap not because of fema but because of florida. i notice that the congresswoman who was from gainesville, lake city and ocala, my family in like city, ocala have been without insurance because we gave $3 billion for private insurance to buy their re insurance component rather than -- then we have property that has millions of people. eight of the major insurance companies -- this is a state level somewhat we have not given the risk to those who want to live on beach and marsh land. tallahassee that four days was given to be in the cone.

it went into the southeast, taylor, madison, ocala, swanee, the other beach areas down there in the surge and tampa. this is an issue that has to do with the state. the state and have been gerrymandered to create a problem that is on the people because they have given $3 billion of reinsurance. 90% of the adjustors' reports were reduced. host: thank you. you put a lot out there. host: it is a real issue for millions of people around the country. the disaster insurance industry is at a pivotal point, policies becoming expensive.

we have done a number of stories on the fact that a lot of the insurance payouts go to some of the wealthiest districts and hemoowners. i know there is a move for improvement. we will see what congress does. host: does the federal government become stop anything on the state level with finances. host: i'm not sure. host: with the representative talking about them moving out what is the recourse for those who may be out without insurance? host: i'm not sure of the question. host: if insurance companies move out of the state what happens it those that need it? host: i think people will be increasingly dependent on federal aide and that is something congress will have to poles -- bolster. host: bob in west virginia, next up. caller: good morning, thank you

c-span. i'm on vacation down here and what a vacation in eastern tennessee. my concern is this is not a political thing with all of these disasters that is going on down here. from florida all the way up to, you know, x amount of states. i do not think that congress should be out now because of the politics and everything coming up. this is an american issue. this is a human life issue. and i think that they should be calling an emergency session and get back there to d.c. and take care of business. because i'm going to tell you, if you are suffering and a lot of people's livelihoods and

lives are destroyed. we lost several people during this disaster and this is an american issue. this is not a political issue. people's lives are important. their livelihoods are important. winter is coming on and it is going to be years an years in the -- and years in the making for some areas to get back on their feet and they need to get off their butts. host: bobby, thank you. host: i think a lot of people feel that frustration. congress left town as the hurricane was barreling toward and they passed a resolution without funding knowing it of coming to go back to campaign before the election and the optics of that are troubling for a lot of people understandably so. but the first halfdm