Rubio and Scott Urge Biden for Milton Pre-Landfall Emergency Declaration

Florida Senators Marco Rubio (R) and Rick Scott (R) have sent President Joe Biden a letter requesting he declare a pre-landfall emergency declaration in anticipation of Hurricane Milton. 

As Florida recovers from the wreckage of Hurricane Helene, a new hurricane of equal force is expected to slam into the state later this week. 

Hurricane Milton currently sits in the Gulf of Mexico and is projected to travel across Florida on Wednesday night. 

A pre-landfall emergency declaration would enable Florida residents to receive Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) aid to prepare for Milton.

The Senators’ letter underscores the importance of such funding. 

“Although our state is familiar with the dangers posed by hurricanes, this major hurricane approaches toward Florida’s Gulf coast that recently endured severe impacts from major Hurricane Helene, rendering them particularly vulnerable to catastrophic effects from this approaching storm,” said the Senators. “Ensuring that the state has access to the federal resources it needs is imperative to protecting Floridians, property, and our communities”

For Hurricane Helene, the Biden administration approved a pre-landfall emergency declaration one day prior to its reaching Florida coasts. 

Controversy ensued, however, regarding FEMA aid as Department of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas warned there was insufficient aid to withstand hurricane season while reports emerged of FEMA expanding aid to immigrant services. 

The Trump campaign published information revealing FEMA recently doubled its funding for non-governmental entities providing housing assistance to immigrants apprehended by the Department of Homeland Security. 

FEMA upped its financing of such entities by around $300 million, from $363.8 in 2023 to $650 million in 2024.

Trump Campaign National Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt condemned the move, claiming it demonstrated Harris’ preference for immigrants over US citizens. 

“FEMA has run out of money for the rest of hurricane season because Kamala Harris used the funds for free giveaways to illegal immigrants,” said Leavitt. “This is inexcusable and yet another example of Kamala Harris putting Americans LAST!”

Entities receiving aid include religious charities which provide a wide array of services to immigrants shortly after they cross the border, or otherwise enter, into the US.