[House Document 108-209]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]




108th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 108-
209
 
                 REQUESTS FOR FY 2004 BUDGET AMENDMENTS

                               __________

                             COMMUNICATION

                                  from

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

  REQUEST FOR AN EMERGENCY FY 2004 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION FOR THE 
                    DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY




  September 7, 2004.--Referred to the Committee on Appropriations and 
                         ordered to be printed
                                           The White House,
                                     Washington, September 6, 2004.
Hon. J. Dennis Hastert,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: On August 27, I announced that I would 
submit a supplemental request to the Congress of approximately 
$2 billion to pay for comprehensive response and recovery 
efforts after Hurricane Charley. This was in addition to 
response and recovery efforts being undertaken by federal 
government agencies using existing resources and programs.
    Because of the severity and timing of Hurricane Frances, I 
ask the Congress to consider expeditiously the enclosed 
request, totaling $2.0 billion, for an emergency FY 2004 
supplemental appropriation for the Department of Homeland 
Security.
    I hereby designate this proposal in the amount requested 
herein as an emergency requirement. This request responds to 
urgent needs associated with Hurricanes Charley and Frances in 
Florida and other affected areas, and will enable the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency to respond to additional disasters 
should they occur.
    The enclosed request requires immediate action by the 
Congress to ensure that the immediate response efforts to these 
recent disasters continue uninterrupted. I anticipate making a 
further request in the coming days that will provide for a 
comprehensive response and recovery effort addressing the 
impact of both of these hurricanes. In addition, federal 
government agencies will continue their response and recovery 
efforts using existing resources and program.
    The details of this request are set forth in the enclosed 
letter from the Director of the Office of Management and 
Budget.
            Sincerely,
                                                    George W. Bush.
    Enclosure.
                 Executive Office of the President,
                            Office of Management and Budget
                                 Washington, DC, September 6, 2004.

               [Estimate No. 9, 108th Congress, 2 Sess.]

The President,
The White House.
    On August 27th, you announced that you would submit a 
supplemental request to the Congress of approximately $2 
billion to pay for comprehensive response and recovery efforts 
after Hurricane Charley. Because of the severity and timing of 
Hurrican Frances, I am recommending for your consideration a FY 
2004 supplemental proposal, totaling $2.0 billion, for the 
Department of Homeland Security. These funds are being 
requested to assist in the immediate response efforts for areas 
affected by Hurricanes Charley and Frances, and to allow the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to respond to 
additional disasters should they occur.
    I anticipate recommending to you an additional request in 
the coming days to provide for a comprehensive response to 
these hurricanes once reliable estimates can be developed that 
recognize the extent of both disasters.
    The impact of two major disasters in a three week period 
has put a serious strain on the resources available to the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). On September 3, 
2004, the Office of Management and Budget sent to the Congress 
a notification that would allow FEMA to continue obligating 
funds in anticipation of a supplemental request to the Congress 
for urgent needs. In light of the expected additional costs 
associated with the Federal response to Hurricane Frances and 
the need to continue uninterrupted FEMA's emergency response 
efforts, I recommend that you request immediate action on this 
initial request.
    This request provides $2.0 billion for FEMA to continue 
support for immediate needs in response to Hurricanes Charley 
and Frances. This funding will support assistance to families 
and individuals, so that they can be sheltered, fed and 
provided with medical and other care. Additionally, this 
funding will assist with emergency protective measures and 
debris removal in the affected areas. The request also allows 
FEMA to transfer up to $30 million to the Small Business 
Administration to ensure that its disaster recovery efforts 
will continue uninterrupted.
    This request fulfills known and urgent requirements that 
cannot reasonably be met under the current FY 2004 funding 
level. I recommend that you designate the proposal contained in 
this transmittal as an emergency requirement.
    I have carefully reviewed this proposal and am satisfied 
that it is necessary at this time. Therefore, I join the 
Secretary of Homeland Security in recommending you transmit the 
proposal to the Congress.
            Sincerely,
                                         Joshua B. Bolten, Director
    Enclosure.
                    DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY


                  Emergency Preparedness and Response


                          DISASTER RELIEF FUND

    For an additional amount for necessary expenses under the 
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
(42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), $2,000,000,000, to remain available 
until expended, of which up to $30,000,000 may be transferred 
to ``Salaries and Expenses,'' Small Business Administration for 
administrative expenses to carry out the disaster loans program 
authorized by section 7(b) of the Small Business Act: Provided, 
That Congress designates the amounts provided herein as an 
emergency requirement for this specific purpose.
    This request would provide an additional $2.0 billion for 
the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency 
Management Agency (FEMA) for disaster relief associated with 
Hurricanes Charley and Frances, as well as other ongoing and 
future disasters. The funding will support response efforts, 
including assistance to families and individuals so that they 
can be sheltered, fed and provided with medical and other care. 
Additionally, the funding will support emergency protective 
measures and debris removal in the affected areas and other 
urgent response requirements. The request also allows FEMA to 
transfer up to $30 million to the Small Business Administration 
to ensure that its disaster recovery efforts will continue 
uninterrupted.

                                  
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