PRIORITIZE HELP FOR HURRICANE VICTIMS
QUICK READ: Hurricanes Helene and Milton have devastated six states leaving the lives of hundreds of thousands upended. While Trump’s tried to spread hateful lies about the federal response, the Biden-Harris administration’s allocated $2+ billion and dispatched 8500+ federal workers to help affected residents, Congress cannot wait until mid-November to provide necessary funding.
CONTENTS:
BACKGROUND
Hurricanes Helene and Milton have devastated six states—killing hundreds and displacing 350,000, causing many to lose their homes and worldly possessions, forcing thousands of large and small businesses to close, and making travel perilous or impossible. Entire towns lie submerged, many are without power and potable water, damage to polling stations leave thousands without the opportunity to vote, and rebuilding will likely cost hundreds of billions.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has already exhausted its funding, and House Republicans refused to add Biden’s request for additional FEMA disaster relief to the 3-month stopgap budget passed the day before Helene made landfall in Florida.
Trump and his MAGA cronies, instead of trying to alleviate this suffering, are politicizing it—spreading hateful lies about the federal response that have discouraged victims from applying for assistance and jeopardized the lives of FEMA workers.
By contrast, the Biden-Harris Administration’s allocated $2+ billion in federal aid and dispatched 8500+ federal workers to assist in recovery efforts. Biden and Harris have also demanded that Congress reconvene immediately to provide FEMA and SBA with the emergency funding needed to help victims salvage what’s left of their shattered lives.
Such disdain by Speaker Johnson and his MAGA cohorts for the victims of climate disasters appears political and is consistent with Project 2025’s claim climate change is a hoax and its plan to eliminate disaster loans entirely.
ACTION One: Call the Senate.
Script for Oregon Senators
SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Climate change is fueling more frequent and intense storms, costing American taxpayers many billions in disaster relief for those living in their paths. While campaigning is important, impacted communities cannot wait. It is incumbent on our Members of Congress to act swiftly to provide additional funding for FEMA and the SBA. At the same time, you must: (1) Forcefully refute the false assertions that FEMA disaster relief funds are being diverted to other purposes that place FEMA workers’ lives in danger and prevent victims from seeking the recovery assistance they deserve; (2) Address the climate crisis by encouraging alternatives to fossil fuels; (3) Pass legislation to make our communities climate resilient.
SEN. WYDEN:
Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Climate change is fueling more frequent and intense storms, costing American taxpayers many billions in disaster relief for those living in their paths. While campaigning is important, impacted communities cannot wait. It is incumbent on our Members of Congress to act swiftly to provide additional funding for FEMA and the SBA. At the same time, you must: (1) Forcefully refute the false assertions that FEMA disaster relief funds are being diverted to other purposes that place FEMA workers’ lives in danger and prevent victims from seeking the recovery assistance they deserve; (2) Address the climate crisis by encouraging alternatives to fossil fuels; (3) Pass legislation to make our communities climate resilient.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
Climate change is fueling more frequent and intense storms, costing American taxpayers many billions in disaster relief for those living in their paths. While campaigning is important, impacted communities cannot wait. It is incumbent on our Members of Congress to act swiftly to provide additional funding for FEMA and the SBA. At the same time, you must: (1) Forcefully refute the false assertions that FEMA disaster relief funds are being diverted to other purposes that place FEMA workers’ lives in danger and prevent victims from seeking the recovery assistance they deserve; (2) Address the climate crisis by encouraging alternatives to fossil fuels; (3) Pass legislation to make our communities climate resilient.
ACTION TWO: Call the House.
Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)
Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Climate change is fueling more frequent and intense storms, costing American taxpayers many billions in disaster relief for those living in their paths. While campaigning is important, impacted communities cannot wait. It is incumbent on our Members of Congress to act swiftly to provide additional funding for FEMA and the SBA. At the same time, you must: (1) Forcefully refute the false assertions that FEMA disaster relief funds are being diverted to other purposes that place FEMA workers’ lives in danger and prevent victims from seeking the recovery assistance they deserve; (2) Address the climate crisis by encouraging alternatives to fossil fuels; (3) Pass legislation to make our communities climate resilient.
Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)
Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Climate change is fueling more frequent and intense storms, costing American taxpayers many billions in disaster relief for those living in their paths. While campaigning is important, impacted communities cannot wait. It is incumbent on our Members of Congress to act swiftly to provide additional funding for FEMA and the SBA. At the same time, you must: (1) Forcefully refute the false assertions that FEMA disaster relief funds are being diverted to other purposes that place FEMA workers’ lives in danger and prevent victims from seeking the recovery assistance they deserve; (2) Address the climate crisis by encouraging alternatives to fossil fuels; (3) Pass legislation to make our communities climate resilient.
Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)
Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Climate change is fueling more frequent and intense storms, costing American taxpayers many billions in disaster relief for those living in their paths. While campaigning is important, impacted communities cannot wait. It is incumbent on our Members of Congress to act swiftly to provide additional funding for FEMA and the SBA. At the same time, you must: (1) Forcefully refute the false assertions that FEMA disaster relief funds are being diverted to other purposes that place FEMA workers’ lives in danger and prevent victims from seeking the recovery assistance they deserve; (2) Address the climate crisis by encouraging alternatives to fossil fuels; (3) Pass legislation to make our communities climate resilient.
Script for Val Hoyle (OR-04)
Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Climate change is fueling more frequent and intense storms, costing American taxpayers many billions in disaster relief for those living in their paths. While campaigning is important, impacted communities cannot wait. It is incumbent on our Members of Congress to act swiftly to provide additional funding for FEMA and the SBA. At the same time, you must: (1) Forcefully refute the false assertions that FEMA disaster relief funds are being diverted to other purposes that place FEMA workers’ lives in danger and prevent victims from seeking the recovery assistance they deserve; (2) Address the climate crisis by encouraging alternatives to fossil fuels; (3) Pass legislation to make our communities climate resilient.
SCRIPT FOR LORI CHAVEZ-DEREMER (OR-05)
Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Climate change is fueling more frequent and intense storms, costing American taxpayers many billions in disaster relief for those living in their paths. While campaigning is important, impacted communities cannot wait. It is incumbent on our Members of Congress to act swiftly to provide additional funding for FEMA and the SBA. At the same time, you must: (1) Forcefully refute the false assertions that FEMA disaster relief funds are being diverted to other purposes that place FEMA workers’ lives in danger and prevent victims from seeking the recovery assistance they deserve; (2) Address the climate crisis by encouraging alternatives to fossil fuels; (3) Pass legislation to make our communities climate resilient.
Script for Andrea Salinas (OR-06)
Salem office: 503-385-0906 | DC office: 202-225-5643
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Climate change is fueling more frequent and intense storms, costing American taxpayers many billions in disaster relief for those living in their paths. While campaigning is important, impacted communities cannot wait. It is incumbent on our Members of Congress to act swiftly to provide additional funding for FEMA and the SBA. At the same time, you must: (1) Forcefully refute the false assertions that FEMA disaster relief funds are being diverted to other purposes that place FEMA workers’ lives in danger and prevent victims from seeking the recovery assistance they deserve; (2) Address the climate crisis by encouraging alternatives to fossil fuels; (3) Pass legislation to make our communities climate resilient.
ACTION THREE: Good Trouble.
Below are opportunities to fight for our democracy. As John Lewis said, go make some “good trouble.”
PARTICIPATE IN LETTER WRITING AND CANVASSING WITH INDIVISIBLE OREGON. RSVP here.
ATTEND FRIDAY’S AT 4 AND MORE - ONLINE LETTERS AND POSTCARD WRITING EVERY FRIDAY - RSVP Here.
Help educate your friends and family about the dangers of Project 2025, since “to know it, is to hate it” Check out these resources:
FURTHER READING
Helene, Milton losses expected to surpass "truly historic" $50 billion each
Disaster loan program fully ‘exhausted’ with Congress still out of town
Johnson slams door on Congress returning for disaster aid
How is climate change affecting hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones?
Fighting hurricane misinformation requires aggressive pushback
Bizarre Falsehoods About Hurricanes Helene and Milton Disrupt Recovery Efforts
I’m Running out of Ways to Explain How Bad This Is
Project 2025 would ‘unequivocally’ lead to more hurricane deaths, experts warn
Project 2025 Proposes Eliminating Aid for Families and Businesses Rebuilding After Storms
