Nashville Standard

United States Senator Bill Hagerty, along with Senator Thom Tillis and ten other Senate colleagues, has called for immediate legislative action to address the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The senators sent a letter to key Senate leaders, urging them to pass an appropriations package aimed at supporting those affected by the storm.

"The devastation from Hurricane Helene across the southeastern United States is simply inconceivable," the Senators wrote. They highlighted concerns about communication challenges exacerbating the situation: "Because of a lack of cell service, we anticipate even greater tragedy to unfold in the days and weeks ahead as communications and power are restored and we can understand the full scope of this disaster."

The letter emphasized that initial damage assessments suggest economic losses could reach tens of billions of dollars. "This amount will likely soar as recovery efforts continue and the full picture of this ruinous disaster becomes clear," they continued.

The senators stressed the urgency for Congress to act swiftly: "Although the true level of devastation is still unfolding, it is clear that Congress must act to meet the unmet needs in our states and address the scope and scale of destruction experienced by our constituents." They also suggested that Congress might need to reconvene in October to ensure timely legislative action before year's end.

"Tens of millions of Americans were impacted by Hurricane Helene, and we look forward to working with you to provide relief to those impacted by this horrific storm," they concluded.