In a win for the Delegation, President Biden amends Alaska's disaster declaration
That's a quick turnaround for results.
On Tuesday, the Alaska Congressional Delegation and Governor Mike Dunleavy released a joint statement urging President Joe Biden to waive 100% of the State of Alaska's cost share responsibilities required for public assistance through FEMA following Typhoon Merbok. This request gained greater visibility as Puerto Rico worked to recover from Hurricane Fiona, which left countless American citizens without power, potable water, and emergency infrastructure. The response to Puerto Rico's hurricane recovery included a 100% cost-share waiver to help expedite efforts to bounce back and save lives.
In their Tuesday news release, Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, Congresswoman Mary Peltola, and Governor Mike Dunleavy called on FEMA to do for Alaska what it was doing for Puerto Rico: a cost-share waiver for 30 days. The letter came on the heels of Senator Murkowski and Congresswoman Peltola's visit to areas ravaged by Typhoon Merbok. Their travels included FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, making the trip even more high-stakes.
The joint release from Alaska Delegation and Governor Dunleavy made a strong and emotional case for a waiver, citing visible damage and unseen damage yet to be discovered.
We recognize the cost that comes with the destruction to key infrastructure, but we must also consider the challenges that don't immediately meet the eye—slow moving disasters such as water damage and the loss of cultural and subsistence tools. The financial needs to replace such substantial loss is far too great without additional assistance," said Senator Murkowski.
"Having just visited Nome and other communities impacted by Typhoon Merbok over the weekend, I've now had the chance to speak directly with state and local officials and see the destruction first-hand," said Representative Peltola. "I am extremely grateful that President Biden so quickly approved Governor Dunleavy's federal disaster declaration, however, I wish to strongly reiterate my call for FEMA to waive the State of Alaska's cost share for federal individual and public assistance for recovery efforts. This 100% federal cost share is essential to the timely cleanup efforts that are ongoing."
Senator Dan Sullivan took to the Senate Floor to address the subject directly. Sullivan noted that he absolutely supports Puerto Rico's cost-share waiver, but that Alaska deserved the same treatment.
Today, just two days after their joint appeal, President Biden released a statement announcing a revision to the federal disaster declaration for Alaska.
"Under the President's major disaster declaration issued for the State of Alaska on September 23, 2022, federal funding was made available for Public Assistance, Hazard Mitigation, and Other Needs Assistance at 75 percent of the total eligible costs.
Under the President's order today, the Federal share for emergency protective measures has been increased to 100 percent of the total eligible costs for the first 30 days of the incident period," the White House press release said.
There is a reason the Alaska Congressional Delegation has long been described as "small but mighty." Pushing President Biden and FEMA to revise their recovery plans within a 48-hour time frame is the latest proof of that reputation. Western Alaska continues working to rebuild. How the 49th State’s leaders respond to long-term investments in resilient infrastructure will be one of the topics we'll keep following here at THE DELEGATION.