July 22, 2016

Manchin Requests Increased Federal Funding for Flood Recovery Efforts

Manchin personally called the White House Chief of Staff to underscore Governor Tomblin’s request to FEMA that the federal government cover a higher percentage of the recovery costs, saving the state and local governments millions of dollars

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) spoke with the President's Chief of Staff to support West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin's request to FEMA for an increase in the federal government's disaster recovery cost share to 90 percent.  The current federal cost share for recovery work is only 75 percent of the total project cost. This designation will ensure more federal resources and less local burden for these hard-hit communities working to recover from this historic tragedy. The State is currently projecting nearly $200 million in damages, and that number is expected to grow. FEMA regulations provide for an additional cost share when a disaster is so extraordinary that the eligible costs exceed current thresholds.

"I want to thank the President and his administration for their quick responsiveness and compassion during this natural disaster. Now that flood waters have receded, we must work with everyone we can to rebuild homes, businesses, schools and communities that have been devastated by the horrific flooding. Today I made a request to the White House Chief of Staff to please consider the economic hardships we're going through, and grant the 90-10 designation as soon as possible. This additional funding will be a lifeline to help local communities meet the financial demands of rebuilding critical infrastructure, such as schools and first responder facilities, to make sure that our communities can recover and rebuild." 

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