Rep. Steube, Sen. Moody Secure $1.8 Billion in FEMA Reimbursements to Florida, $64 Million to Charlotte County

PUNTA GORDA, FL - Rep. Greg Steube joined Senator Ashley Moody today in Punta Gorda to announce the recovery of $1.8 billion in delayed FEMA disaster reimbursements statewide, including approximately $64 million headed to Charlotte County. This historic achievement is largely possible thanks to the Trump Administration's efforts to clear FEMA's disaster reimbursement backlog.

"Charlotte County has waited years for the money FEMA already agreed to pay. That's not how disaster recovery is supposed to work," said Rep. Greg Steube. "I'm grateful to President Trump, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, and FEMA for helping cut through the bureaucracy and get these long-overdue dollars moving."

"Florida has been waiting on essential disaster assistance funds for hurricane recovery since 2017- I've been in the Senate for less than a year and a half and have worked hard to bring nearly $2 billion of outstanding FEMA funds back home to Florida. I'll continue fighting to deliver the federal support Floridians need while making the disaster recovery process more transparent, efficient, and accountable," said Senator Ashley Moody.

"This reflects our ongoing partnership with state and local leaders with more than $1.2 billion to Florida communities in the last 90 days," said Rob Ashe, FEMA Region 4 Regional Administrator. "Our FEMA team in Florida continues to fulfill President Trump and Secretary Mullin's promise to deliver effective federal assistance to the state. Thank you to Rep. Steube for being a valued partner in supporting ongoing recovery efforts."

The funds reimburse eligible disaster recovery projects that FEMA had already approved but left unpaid for years, forcing state and local governments to carry the costs. Thanks to the leadership of President Trump, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, and FEMA, these long-overdue reimbursements are finally reaching Florida communities. In Charlotte County, much of the delayed funding stems from Hurricane Ian recovery projects. Some of the longest outstanding reimbursements date back to Hurricane Irma in 2017.

Today's announcement builds on recent momentum at the federal level to accelerate disaster recovery funding for Florida communities. On July 2, FEMA announced an additional $124 million in funding for 70 disaster recovery and hazard mitigation projects across Florida, bringing the agency's total support to the state to more than $1.2 billion over the past 90 days. That funding has supported communities recovering from Hurricanes Helene, Milton, and other recent natural disasters.

Rep. Steube will continue working with President Trump, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, FEMA, and local leaders to ensure Southwest Florida communities receive every disaster recovery dollar they are owed as quickly as possible.