Washington D.C. - President Joe Biden has called on Congress to immediately reconvene and secure essential disaster relief funding in the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Milton. During a press conference at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on Thursday, Biden emphasized the critical need for swift legislative action to support recovery efforts, particularly through the Small Business Administration (SBA).

According to Philippines News Agency, the urgency expressed by President Biden underscores the dire situation faced by those impacted by Hurricane Milton, which recently inflicted severe damage across Florida. "It's pretty right at the edge right now," Biden stated, advocating for Congress to "move on emergency needs immediately."

The President also addressed misinformation regarding disaster relief, specifically countering former President Donald Trump's claims that victims would receive only USD 750 in aid and that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had redirected funds to migrants. "It's a lie to suggest that's all they're going to get. That's bizarre... they got to stop this," Biden remarked, visibly frustrated. He added a pointed message to his predecessor, "Mr. President Trump, former President Trump, get a life, man. Help these people."

In his remarks, Biden highlighted the massive scale of the required recovery operations, estimating the cost to be "several billion dollars." He stressed the need for ongoing congressional support post-election in November, noting that both FEMA and the SBA would need additional resources to manage the comprehensive disaster relief efforts effectively.

Hurricane Milton, which made landfall late Wednesday in Sarasota County, Florida, brought with it high winds, heavy rainfall, and widespread flooding, causing substantial destruction. The storm has left over 3.4 million people without power, and state, local, and federal authorities are still assessing the full extent of the damage.

The hurricane also spawned at least nine tornadoes as it approached Florida, resulting in four confirmed fatalities in St. Lucie County due to tornado-related incidents. Search and rescue operations continue as local, state, and federal teams work diligently to locate survivors and assist those affected by what is the second historic hurricane to hit the state in consecutive weeks.