December 20, 2024

Congresswoman Foushee Votes to Keep Government Open, Deliver Critical Disaster Relief, and Extend Farm Bill

WASHINGTON, DC (December 20, 2024) — Today, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04) released the following statement after voting to pass the updated version of H.R. 10545, the American Relief Act, 2025. This legislation provides a stopgap measure to fund the federal government at current discretionary spending levels through March 14, 2025, averting a federal government shutdown.

“Despite attempts by Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and the Republican conference to push us to the brink of a government shutdown, I’m glad that House Democrats prevailed and prevented a reckless shutdown that would harm hardworking families across the country,” said Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (NC-04). “Although this stopgap funding bill is not perfect, I was proud to join my colleagues in standing firm on our commitment to the American people and pass critical legislation that will keep our government open, provide urgent relief to our neighbors in Western North Carolina impacted by Hurricane Helene, extend key agricultural programs, and provide economic assistance to farmers dealing with crop loss. Moving forward, Congress must work to promptly pass full-year appropriations bills that supports the needs of our government and the people we represent.”

Specifically, H.R. 10545, the American Relief Act, 2025, would include:

  • $100 billion in total disaster assistance for relief efforts in North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and others, including:

    • $29 billion for the FEMA Disaster Relief Fund.

    • $8 billion for emergency road and bridge projects.

    • $3.25 billion for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grants.

    • $2.4 billion for U.S. Department of Defense repair costs.

    • $2.3 billion for small business loans.

    • $1.8 billion for military construction projects.

    • $1.5 billion for economic development assistance for areas impacted by natural disasters in 2023 and 2024.

    • $1.5 billion for Army Corps of Engineers projects.

  • An extension of the 2018 Farm Bill which will provide federal funding for agricultural programs through September 30, 2025.

  • $10 billion in economic assistance to farmers dealing with crop loss and market forces outside of their control.

The full bill text for H.R. 10545, the American Relief Act, 2025 can be found here.