Billions in disaster relief being sought

The White House is asking Congress for nearly $12 billion as a down payment on Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts, sending Republican leaders a request late Friday for $5.9 billion in immediate aid that will be quickly followed by a request for another $6 billion, administration officials said.

The initial funding represents only a fraction of the long-term storm relief for flood-ravaged parts of Texas and Louisiana.

President Donald Trump is expected to make a pitch for quick passage of storm-funding legislation when he travels Saturday to the Houston area and to Lake Charles, Louisiana, his second trip to the region in the week since the hurricane made landfall at Rockport, Texas.

The coming request for $6 billion to replenish federal disaster relief funds is to be added to a stopgap spending bill that Congress must pass before the end of the month to keep the government open. The administration, however, has signaled that it will not shut down the government should that spending bill not include money for Trump’s controversial border wall.

Congress returns next week after a monthlong recess. beloved big sister’s cat when he fell onto a live wire. Pasek’s friend moved closer to help, but Pasek warned him away.

“He said, ‘Don’t touch me. I’m dying,’” said JoDell Pasek. natural habitat.