WASHINGTON: The White House is preparing an initial $5.9 billion package in Harvey aid, a first down payment to ensure recovery efforts over the next few weeks are adequately funded.

The Trump proposal, which is being finalised pending White House consultations with key Republicans, is likely to be just a fraction of an eventual Harvey recovery package that could rival the $100-billion-plus in taxpayer-financed help for victims of 2005’s Hurricane Katrina.

A senior administration official said the plan will be sent to Congress on Friday, with House and Senate votes appear likely next week.

House Republican leaders have signalled they are aiming to act fast on Harvey aid. Larger future installments will be required. But the initial package, to replenish Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster coffers through Sept 30, shouldn’t be controversial.

FEMA is spending existing disaster aid reserves just $2.1 billion as of Thursday at a high rate.

The initial aid money would be a down payment for immediate recovery efforts, to be followed by larger packages later, said White House homeland security adviser Tom Bossert. It will take weeks or months to assess the full extent of the damage and need.

“We’ll go up to Congress and give them a sound supplemental request number. We’ll add to it,” Bossert said. “And when we can get a better handle on the damage we can come back with a responsible last, so to speak, supplemental request.”

Published in Dawn, September 2nd, 2017