U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and David Perdue (R-GA) joined Senate colleagues in asking U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson to swiftly publish, in the Federal Register, the rules that will allow states affected by 2018 disasters to receive Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) assistance. This funding, which was announced by President Trump on May 8, 2019, was appropriated by Congress just five days before Hurricane Michael made landfall.
 
Under the announced allocations, Georgia is set to receive more than $34 million in CDBG-DR reserve funding that will cover some Hurricane Michael infrastructure damage. Senators Isakson and Perdue continue to fight for funding for agricultural losses as a result of Hurricane Michael.
 
“Last evening, President Trump announced allocations of Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding for 2018 natural disasters,” said the senators. “We appreciate the administration’s efforts as our communities continue to struggle to recover.
 
“When Congress passed, and the President signed into law, legislation that would serve as an initial response to Hurricane Florence, no one expected that a Category 5 hurricane would make landfall in Florida’s Panhandle just a few days after,” continued the senators.“Now, more than seven months later, it is time to publish, in the Federal Register, the rules that will allow states to take the next step to receive the allocated CDBG-DR funds. We fully realize the massive undertaking that is required of your department, but respectfully request this next step be taken without delay.”
 
U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), John Cornyn (R-TX), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Rick Scott (R-FL), Richard Burr (R-NC), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Ted Cruz (R-TX) joined Senators Isakson and Perdue in sending the letter to Secretary Carson.