Earlier this week, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein called on Congress for additional aid for Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, hosting a press conference in Flat Rock and then taking his plea to Capitol Hill. While speaking to a crowd in Flat Rock, an area heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene, Stein announced he would be seeking $13.5 billion from Congress.
“Western North Carolinians are counting on the federal government for help to rebuild homes, support small businesses, and repair roads. I call on Congress to deliver for western North Carolina its fair share and appropriate an additional $13.5 billion in funding for Helene recovery,” Stein stated in a press release.
Hurricane Helene touched down last September and devastated western North Carolina, destroying parks, roads, businesses, schools, and killing more than 100 people. Recovery from the storm, which is considered the worst hurricane in the state’s history, is estimated to be over $60 billion.
Stein says that the process of recovering after a natural disaster was never an easy one, but added roadblocks by the Trump administration, such as funds held up by DOGE and FEMA’s cancellation of their BRIC program, only make matters worse for the people affected by the storm and local governments trying to rebuild. Faced with these additional hurdles, local governments are having to come up with the missing funds, leading to the slower progression, halting, or outright cancellation of projects.
“We need more help,” Stein said. “The next stage of recovery is going to require a new commitment from Congress and from the administration to not forget the people of Western North Carolina. West North Carolina has not received anywhere near what it needs, nor our fair share.”
Stein points to the fact that certain funds have already been approved by FEMA, but certain White House officials have not allowed that money to be sent to North Carolina.
Following his announcement at Flat Rock, Stein took his plea to Washington, DC, where he met with members of North Carolina’s congressional delegation. Stein sat with Representatives Don Davis, Deborah Ross, Greg Murphy, Valerie Foushee, Virginia Foxx, Addison McDowell, Richard Hudson, Pat Harrigan, Chuck Edwards, Alma Adams, and Tim Moore, and Senators Thom Tillis and Ted Budd. Stein also met with Dan Bishop, who previously represented North Carolina in Congress for over two terms but now serves as the Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget, as well as Russell Vought, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
During his time in DC, Stein reiterated his plea for 13.5 billion in relief, pointing out that what he’s asking for now and what has previously been requested would total out to 47% of damages from the storm, with the federal government usually providing aid for about 40-50% of damages.
Stein’s conference in Flat Rock and meeting on Capitol Hill are part of an ongoing effort to get funds to those affected by the devastating hurricane.
North Carolina Democratic Attorney General Jeff Jackson has taken part in a number of lawsuits since being sworn into office that focus on getting much-needed help to the people of Western North Carolina. Earlier this year, Jackson joined dozens of other attorneys general in suing the administration for canceling FEMA’s BRIC program and the congressionally approved funds meant to be sent out to states, including North Carolina.
Recently, Jackson won a lawsuit that would bring funds and volunteers to the state to continue projects to rebuild areas affected by disaster. However, Jackson is still pressing for the release of an additional $200 million withheld from the state.
It’s not just Democrats fighting the Trump administration for Helene relief. Prior to Jackson joining the lawsuit to reinstate FEMA’s BRIC program, in a bipartisan effort, dozens of Congressional members– including North Carolina’s Representative Chuck Edwards and Senator Thom Tillis– signed on to a letter for the same purpose: to reinstate the BRIC program and release the funds to the states.
Additionally, last week Senator Ted Budd voted against and stalled the progression of several Trump nominees for the purpose of drawing attention to congressionally approved funds being withheld from North Carolina. After the vote, Budd explained his actions to McClatchy Media.
“This is not about Robert Law,” Budd stated. “I’m fine with him, and we’ll vote for passage on him, but I’m trying to get the attention of those at DHS that are being slow to reimburse North Carolina for funds already spent.” He expanded on his frustration. “You’ve got towns in Western North Carolina that have already spent over $30 million out of their own pocket, for things that are fit to be federally reimbursed.”
Following Budd’s vote, over $12 million in Helene aid was released to North Carolina.
In an interview with WRAL, Stein said he called Budd after the vote to thank him for standing up for North Carolina. “I called him this morning to thank for recognizing this deficiency with FEMA and the layers of bureaucracy. They’ve added to an already bureaucratic process, and he helped free up the 12 million dollars I mentioned earlier and so that’s good,” Stein said. “We need our representatives to fight for North Carolina.”
Though Stein praised Budd’s actions, he claimed that it shouldn’t have had to come to that in the first place. “You shouldn’t have to fight your own government to do right by the people of western North Carolina. But if that’s what it takes, that’s what we will do.”
In the days after the release of the $12 million, another $64 million in public assistance grants for Helene recovery was released to the state.
Though getting funds to western North Carolina is a bipartisan effort that runs from local governments up to congressional representatives, Trump may not be so willing to continue to provide aid. When Stein last requested federal support, around the tune of $11.5 billion, a White House spokesperson said, “Stein’s request is evidence that he is unfit to run a state.”
However, Stein has seen the devastation from Hurricane Helene and has repeatedly pledged to do what it takes to help those affected by the storm, and calls on the federal government to do the same. “Recovery is a team sport,” Stein insists. “The state has been putting in money and effort, and one year after this terrible tragedy, it is time for our federal government to meet the needs of the people of Western North Carolina”.
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein’s full 52-page budget request can be viewed here.
