Biden warns hurricane-relief funding needed soon as he calls on Congress to ‘step up’ | CNN Politics

President Joe Biden and other leaders warn Congress will soon need to pass additional funding to fill the federal government’s rapidly dwindling disaster-relief coffers after two major hurricanes slammed into the Southeastern US .

Biden : “We’re going to be going to the Congress . Going to need a lot more money as we identify specifically how much is needed” The Small Business Administration oversees a loan program for homeowners and small businesses recovering from disasters, providing between $100,000 and $2 million to rebuild destroyed or damaged property.

Biden , Harris and Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas have all said this week that the Pentagon and FEMA the tip of the spear for the immediate rescue and recovery efforts had sufficient funding.

Biden demanded Congress return to Washington sooner to replenish funds for a Small Business Administration program that, in his description, was “right at the edge” of running out.

Political posturing is on full display as Republican leaders thread the needle of leaning on the Biden administration for financial and personnel help.

“There was a rough start in some places, but every governor has acknowledged what an incredible job this team is doing,” Biden said. CNN ’s Ella Nilsen contributed to this report..