Congresswoman Kat Cammack Introduces Federal Disaster Responsibility Act Following Devastation From Hurricane Idalia

September 5, 2023
Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressswoman Kat Cammack (R-FL-03) introduced the Federal Disaster Responsibility Act after Hurricane Idalia devasted Florida's Third Congressional District as a Category 3 hurricane last week.

The bill, which fully funds FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund, ensures our damaged military bases are rebuilt and restored, secures block grants for Florida's growers to make sure the Sunshine State's producers get the necessary tax breaks from the losses they suffered, and more. Senator Rick Scott introduced the Senate companion with the same name last week after touring hurricane damage with Congresswoman Cammack in Levy County's coastal Cedar Key community.

"Communities across Florida's Third Congressional District have been devastated by Hurricane Idalia. As we work to rebuild and recover over the next days, weeks, and months, I'm proud of how Floridians are working together to support each other during this time. From neighbors and business owners to community leaders and law enforcement, we're never shy to lend a hand to those in need," said Rep. Kat Cammack. "My Florida colleagues and I are committed to ensuring federal resources are available to everyone affected, which includes shoring up the FEMA Disaster Relief Fund (DRF), which does not have the funds necessary to help with Idalia recovery and other national natural disasters. The Federal Disaster Responsibility Act will help get Floridians back on their feet and make sure we continue to support the areas devastated by this catastrophic storm."

Provisions in the Federal Disaster Responsibility Act include:

  • Pass an enhanced version of the Disaster Relief Fund Replenishment Act and fully fund the immediate needs of FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund with at least $16.5 billion to ensure the federal government can uphold its obligation to quickly deploy emergency funding and resources to communities and Americans impacted by natural disasters.
  • Ensure final passage of the bipartisan Block Grant Assistance Act which provides needed authority for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to issue block grants to Florida’s citrus growers and all U.S. agriculture producers devastated by natural disasters in 2022.
  • Secure final passage of the Hurricane Tax Relief Act which takes care of Americans impacted by disasters by providing disaster-loss tax relief to families who have been impacted by qualified disasters for purposes of enhanced disaster casualty loss tax relief. This bill modifies the deduction for personal casualty losses in the hurricane disaster areas, waiving the requirements for impacted taxpayers to itemize deductions and to have losses that exceed 10% of adjusted gross income. Congress previously extended this tax relief for hurricanes Irma, Wilma, Dorian, and Michael, among others.
  • Commit necessary funds and resources to Florida’s military installations to fully rebuild and recover from hurricane damage.

Read the full text of the bill here.

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