Quick Hit:

Former President Donald Trump urged Congress on Monday to return early from recess to approve additional disaster relief for areas devastated by Hurricane Helene. Touring damage in western North Carolina, Trump stressed the urgency, saying, "This is a very unusual situation, and I would be in favor of it."

Key Details:

• Trump, while surveying hurricane damage near Asheville, North Carolina, emphasized the need for swift action: "This is a very unusual situation, and I would be in favor of [Congress returning early]."

• Congress isn't scheduled to reconvene until November 12th, but Trump called the current devastation an immediate priority.

• House Speaker Mike Johnson has thus far pushed back on calls to recall Congress, saying the Biden administration currently has "the necessary disaster funding" but noted that Congress would revisit the issue upon its return.

Diving Deeper:

During his visit to North Carolina on Monday, former President Donald Trump called on Congress to cut its recess short and reconvene to approve additional disaster relief for regions devastated by recent hurricanes, particularly Hurricane Helene. Touring the damage near Asheville, Trump stressed the urgency of the situation, telling reporters, "I would be in favor of [Congress coming back early]. This is a very unusual situation, and I would be in favor of it."

Currently, Congress is not due back in session until November 12th, one week after the general election. However, the need for more immediate financial support for hurricane-affected regions has prompted calls for early action. Trump emphasized that while Congress typically operates on a set schedule, the devastation caused by recent storms requires urgent attention. "Voting is the least of it right now," Trump said when asked about the potential impact on voter turnout in these areas. "The thing that amazes most is that areas like this and others where it's so hard to vote…you know they've set a record in voting," Trump added.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) announced last week that it had exhausted its disaster loan funds, urging survivors to continue applying while awaiting more funding from Congress. SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman stressed the importance of quick financial relief, stating, "While we await Congress to provide much-needed funding, we strongly encourage eligible businesses and households to apply for SBA disaster loans."

House Speaker Mike Johnson acknowledged the strain on the SBA's disaster relief program but reassured the public that the Biden administration has sufficient resources to address immediate needs. "The Biden-Harris Administration has the necessary disaster funding right now to address the immediate needs of the American people in these hurricane-affected areas," Johnson told the New York Post, adding that once Congress reconvenes in November, lawmakers will assess the full scope of the damages and ensure that the appropriate funding is provided.

Despite this, many residents of the affected regions have expressed frustration with the federal government's response, and Trump echoed their concerns. "Many Americans in this region felt helpless and abandoned and left behind by their government," he said. "And yet, in North Carolina's hour of desperation, the American people answered the call—much more so than your federal government."