Booker, Menendez, Murphy Applaud Allocation of $228 Million in Federal Funding to Assist With Hurricane Ida Recovery Efforts in New Jersey

Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker

Newark, N.J. – Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Bob Menendez (both D-NJ) and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy applauded the allocation of $228.3 million in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funds to New Jersey to help the state further recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Ida. Congress appropriated this funding in the continuing resolution passed September 30, 2021, and last month Booker led 11 other members of the New Jersey Congressional delegation in a letter urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to expeditiously provide necessary data to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for these funds to be released.

“Last September, the remnants of Hurricane Ida caused historic flooding and rainfall as well as widespread devastation to communities across New Jersey,”said Sen. Booker. “Since then, I have worked with colleagues to make sure our state receives the resources it needs to advance recovery efforts, including urging FEMA to quickly provide necessary information to accelerate the allocation of federal funding. I am encouraged to see these funds finally being released and know that they will make a significant impact for communities that are still recovering from last year’s deadly storm.”

“I’m glad the Biden Administration has finally allocated these important federal funds approved by Congress last September to strengthen New Jersey’s recovery efforts from Hurricane Ida and to help prepare to for future climate related events by improving the state’s resiliency,” said Sen. Menendez. “This $228 million infusion of federal funds will help New Jersey in the long-term recovery of a deadly storm that took the lives of thirty New Jerseyans and provide the much needed investment in infrastructure and housing in the most impacted communities.”

“I applaud President Biden, HUD Secretary Fudge, and our New Jersey Congressional delegation for delivering critical relief to families impacted by the devastating effects of Tropical Storm Ida, and thank Senators Booker and Menendez for their leadership on this issue,” said Governor Murphy. “The funding announced today is an important step forward to support residents whose lives were upended by the storm. Although more assistance is ultimately needed to make every family impacted by the storm whole, we are grateful for the Biden Administration’s continued partnership in aiding our most heavily Ida-impacted communities.”

In the days after Hurricane Ida struck New Jersey, Booker worked with the Biden Administration to declare a Major Disaster Declaration for counties in the state, making them eligible for more federal resources. He has also introducedbipartisan legislation that will help communities better prepare for extreme weather and flooding events.