President Donald Trump has sent lawmakers a $7.9 billion request for an initial down payment for Harvey relief and recovery efforts.
The request, expected to be swiftly approved by Congress, would add $7.4 billion to rapidly dwindling Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster aid coffers and $450 million to finance disaster loans for small businesses.
The initial Harvey package is just the first installment for immediate disaster response like housing assistance, cleanup and FEMA-financed home repairs.
The White House says more than 436,000 households have registered for FEMA aid.
The request also reiterates the need for Congress to increase the government's $19.9 trillion borrowing limit by the end of this month. Republicans are signaling that they may link the unpopular debt limit increase to Harvey relief.
President Donald Trump has already pledged $1 million in personal money to Harvey storm relief efforts.
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders made the announcement at a briefing Thursday. She said Trump is calling on reporters to help decide which specific organization he should give to.
But Trump could also take a cue from his own re-election campaign. Earlier this week, his 2020 political committee blasted out emails and texts to more than 10 million supporters encouraging people to donate to Harvey efforts.
The messages provided links to several specific charities: the Red Cross, Salvation Army, United Way and local animal rescue operations.
Harvey made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane along the coast of Texas on Friday, bringing torrential rainfall and leading to unprecedented, deadly flooding in parts of the state.
Harvey made landfall in Louisiana as a tropical storm on Wednesday.
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Associated Press
