Scalise Urges Biden to Extend 100% Federal Cost Share for Hurricane Ida Debris Removal

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Last night, House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) wrote a letter to President Biden requesting that he grant a 45-day extension to cover 100 percent of the federal costs for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including all direct federal assistance, to help Louisiana fully recover from Hurricane Ida.

You can find the text of the letter below, and click here for a PDF of the letter.

Dear President Biden:

"I write in support of a request made by Governor John Bel Edwards and numerous local officials in Louisiana that will greatly increase our state's ability to fully recover from Hurricane Ida.

"Specifically, I am asking that you grant a 45-day extension for 100 percent federal cost share for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including all direct Federal assistance, as requested by Governor Edwards and all affected Parish Presidents. As I visited this week with local leaders in some of the hardest hit areas, the sheer magnitude of the hurricane debris is still visible throughout the entire area, and the slow process of debris removal is impeding the recovery and warrants this extension to ensure that the communities of South Louisiana can quickly and fully recover from this disaster.

"Please find attached to this letter both the request made from Governor Edwards on September 15, 2021, as well as the request from Parish Presidents dated October 2, 2021.

"I appreciate your consideration of this important request."