Congresswoman Pou Praises Release of Disaster Funds After Months-Long Delay

PATERSON, NJ – Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09) this afternoon celebrated an announcement by the Trump administration that it would finally release disaster funds it had been illegally holding hostage for months. 

At a hearing in May, Pou demanded that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem provide guidance on when grant funding would be released. Just days ago, Pou followed up and wrote to Secretary Noem imploring the Trump government to release federal disaster funding. 

“It’s about time,” said Congresswoman Pou. “I have repeatedly pressed Secretary Noem why disaster funding was being held hostage and she has had no good answers. I am glad the administration finally listened. The refusal to release Nonprofit Secretary Grants in particular denied houses of worship support in a time of heightened threats. These disaster funds should never have been held up by the Trump administration and every day they were blockaded needlessly threatened American communities and lives. The administration’s failed responses to several recent disasters made these delays even more inexplicable. Let’s get this funding to the states and get moving.”

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