Peach Tree Times

On October 21, 2024, Georgia's Speaker of the House, Jon Burns, sent a letter to key federal leaders requesting emergency relief funds for southeastern states affected by recent severe weather. The request was made to Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Members of Georgia’s Congressional Delegation were also addressed.

The letter was co-signed by speakers from other impacted states: Alabama Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, Florida Speaker Paul Renner, North Carolina Speaker Tim Moore, South Carolina Speaker G. Murrell Smith Jr., and Tennessee Speaker Cameron Sexton.

"Georgia and our neighboring states have experienced unprecedented devastation in the aftermath of Hurricane Debbie, Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton," stated Speaker Burns. "These historic storms have left countless citizens, farmers and businesses facing generational impacts on their way of life and the places they call home. We are asking Congress to provide funding in the form of simultaneously approved block grants that support the rebuilding of our critical infrastructure, the long-term recovery of our communities and the relief of our agriculture industries. This aid will be critical to ensuring the timely assistance of our most heavily impacted states."

The full letter is available for review.