November 20, 2024

Manchin Questions Biden Administration Officials on Disaster Relief Priorities in West Virginia

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (I-WV), member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, questioned five Biden Administration officials on West Virginia’s disaster relief issues and priorities. Senator Manchin specifically questioned the witnesses on better classifying Appalachia to receive federal disaster relief resources, completing the Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS), and balancing the needs of larger-scale disasters with smaller, more localized ones.

The witnesses were Pete Buttigieg, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT); Isabel Guzman, Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA); Xochitl Torres Small, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA); Adrianne Todman, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); and Deanne Criswell, Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

On better classifying rural Appalachia for federal resources, including disaster relief:

“West Virginia is the only state that lies completely within the Appalachian Mountain region. Despite this, USDA’s definition of rural excludes some of the most geographically isolated and unpopulated areas of my state of West Virginia. Fayette County is one example. Its largest city has just under 8,000 residents, the largest city in the county,” Senator Manchin said in part. “Over the last several years, it has been hit with devastating floods… Many disaster programs that your agencies oversee direct specific resources to rural areas, but do not adequately recognize Appalachia as rural. This means that West Virginians that are impacted by disasters are not getting the help and support that they need.”

On completing the Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS):

“The ADHS was established in 1965 to connect I-81 in Virginia to I-79 in West Virginia. And over 55 years later, we're still working on it, but we're getting better. In a state as rugged and mountainous as mine, natural disasters can quickly cut West Virginians off from help. This is a lifeline coming from east to west and west to east. Connecting this population base of the DC metro area into the interior of West Virginia would be a game changer for our state, both logistically and economically, and allow us to better prepare for natural disasters,” Senator Manchin continued.

On how the SBA balances the funding needs of larger and smaller-scale disasters:

“The SBA’s disaster loan program is a vital lifeline for communities recovering from major disasters, such as hurricanes Helene and Milton. These large-scale events require significant resources and my colleagues have rightfully acknowledged SBA’s efforts in providing critical support. At the same time, it's important to recognize SBA’s role in addressing smaller-scale disasters year-round. Earlier this year, my state of West Virginia was a great example when the SBA made economic injury disaster loans available to small businesses and agriculture co-ops impacted by severe drought conditions. Thank you. These types of losses often don't qualify for FEMA or CDBG funding, so I appreciate you taking the initiative. Could you speak to how SBA balances the needs of larger-scale disasters with the smaller, localized ones?” Senator Manchin questioned.

A video of Senator Manchin’s questioning can be found here.