Trump breaks with Speaker Johnson, wants Congress to reconvene and replenish disaster relief

Former President Donald Trump said Monday he would like Congress to come back into session early to approve extra disaster relief spending for hurricane-hammered areas of the Southeast.“I would be in favor of it, yeah,” the 78-year-old Republican nominee told reporters after touring damage caused by Hurricane Helene near Asheville, NC.“This is a very unusual situation, and I would be in favor of it,” the 45th president affirmed.Congress currently isn’t due back in session until Nov.12, one week after Election Day, and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has bucked pressure to gavel back in early, citing the lack of specific funding requests.The Small Business Administration announced last week that it has depleted its disaster loan program funding, though it urged storm survivors to continue applying for aid.“We know that swift financial relief can help communities recover quickly to stabilize local economies,” Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman said Oct.

15.“While we await Congress to provide much-needed funding, we strongly encourage eligible businesses and households to apply for SBA disaster loans,” Guzman added.

“SBA will continue to support homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofits in processing their applications to ensure they receive assistance quickly once funds are replenished.”In a statement to The Post Monday, Johnson said: “There’s no question these devastating back-to-back storms have stressed the SBA funding program.But the Biden-Harris Administration has the necessary disaster funding right now to address the immediate needs of American people in these hurricane-affected areas.“Congress is tracking this situation closely, and when Members return in just a few short weeks, the Administration should have an accurate assessment of the actual dollar amount needed and there will be strong bipartisan support to provide the necessary funding,” the speaker added.President Biden has also pushed for Congress to come back...