ST. CLAIR COUNTY: Budzinski Celebrates $89.5 Million in Disaster Aid for St. Clair County

This announcement comes hours after the Trump Administration planned to freeze funding for federal grants across the country 

ST. CLAIR COUNTY — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) announced $89.5 million in disaster aid for St. Clair County that was passed by Congress in the end-of-year government spending bill last December. This Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery funding is a much-needed boost to help communities continue their recovery from the severe storms that devastated the area last July.

Just hours before Congresswoman Budzinski met with St. Clair County officials, the status of this funding was in limbo following President Trump’s order to federal agencies to freeze grant and loan payments. Although the Trump Administration has since rescinded the guidance for executing this order, additional federal funding remains in jeopardy. 

“I was thrilled to help St. Clair County secure over $89 million in disaster relief as our communities continue to recover from the devastating storms last summer. This aid is proof that despite what the Trump Administration may think, federal grant funding is essential,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “The administration’s irresponsible and illegal funding freeze has sowed chaos and confusion across the country – threatening dollars for health insurance, Meals on Wheels, childcare, and more. Despite the guidance for the freeze seemingly lifted, I have no doubt this is a glimpse into the administration’s larger plans to cut programs for working-class families to fund tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations. The people of Central and Southern Illinois deserve better. I will keep working to ensure the programs and projects that our communities depend on, like this aid in St. Clair, stay fully funded.”

To watch a video of the Congresswoman discussing the funding for St. Clair and provide updates on the Trump Administration’s funding freeze, click HERE.

After the severe weather in July, Congresswoman Budzinski toured St. Clair County with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to assess damage and discuss the federal resources needed for infrastructure repair and resilience. In August, she joined Senators Durbin and Duckworth in urging President Biden to approve a Presidential Disaster Declaration, which was granted in September, making the county eligible for federal aid.

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