U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON : 

1 

29–012 2004

108th Congress, 2d Session – – – – – – – – – – – – House Document 108–209 

REQUESTS FOR FY 2004 BUDGET AMENDMENTS 

COMMUNICATION 

FROM

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES 

TRANSMITTING

REQUEST FOR AN EMERGENCY FY 2004 SUPPLEMENTAL 

APPROPRIATION FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY 

SEPTEMBER 7, 2004.—Referred to the Committee on Appropriations and 

ordered to be printed 


E:\Seals\Congress.#13
(1) 

THE WHITE HOUSE, 

Washington, September 6, 2004. 

Hon. J. Dennis Hastert, 

Speaker of the House of Representatives, 

Washington, DC. 

DEAR MR. SPEAKER: On August 27, I announced that I would 

submit a supplemental request to the Congress of approximately $2 

billion to pay for comprehensive response and recovery efforts after 

Hurricane Charley. This was in addition to response and recovery 

efforts being undertaken by federal government agencies using existing resources and programs. 

Because of the severity and timing of Hurricane Frances, I ask 

the Congress to consider expeditiously the enclosed request, totaling $2.0 billion, for an emergency FY 2004 supplemental appropriation for the Department of Homeland Security. 

I hereby designate this proposal in the amount requested herein 

as an emergency requirement. This request responds to urgent 

needs associated with Hurricanes Charley and Frances in Florida 

and other affected areas, and will enable the Federal Emergency 

Management Agency to respond to additional disasters should they 

occur. 

The enclosed request requires immediate action by the Congress 

to ensure that the immediate response efforts to these recent disasters continue uninterrupted. I anticipate making a further request 

in the coming days that will provide for a comprehensive response 

and recovery effort addressing the impact of both of these hurricanes. In addition, federal government agencies will continue their 

response and recovery efforts using existing resources and program. 

The details of this request are set forth in the enclosed letter 

from the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. 

Sincerely, 

GEORGE W. BUSH. 

Enclosure. 

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EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, 

OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET

Washington, DC, September 6, 2004. 

[Estimate No. 9, 108th Congress, 2 Sess.] 

The PRESIDENT, 

The White House. 

On August 27th, you announced that you would submit a supplemental request to the Congress of approximately $2 billion to pay 

for comprehensive response and recovery efforts after Hurricane 

Charley. Because of the severity and timing of Hurrican Frances, 

I am recommending for your consideration a FY 2004 supplemental 

proposal, totaling $2.0 billion, for the Department of Homeland Security. These funds are being requested to assist in the immediate 

response efforts for areas affected by Hurricanes Charley and 

Frances, and to allow the Federal Emergency Management Agency 

(FEMA) to respond to additional disasters should they occur. 

I anticipate recommending to you an additional request in the 

coming days to provide for a comprehensive response to these hurricanes once reliable estimates can be developed that recognize the 

extent of both disasters. 

The impact of two major disasters in a three week period has put 

a serious strain on the resources available to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). On September 3, 2004, the Office of Management and Budget sent to the Congress a notification 

that would allow FEMA to continue obligating funds in anticipation 

of a supplemental request to the Congress for urgent needs. In 

light of the expected additional costs associated with the Federal 

response to Hurricane Frances and the need to continue uninterrupted FEMA’s emergency response efforts, I recommend that you 

request immediate action on this initial request. 

This request provides $2.0 billion for FEMA to continue support 

for immediate needs in response to Hurricanes Charley and 

Frances. This funding will support assistance to families and individuals, so that they can be sheltered, fed and provided with medical and other care. Additionally, this funding will assist with 

emergency protective measures and debris removal in the affected 

areas. The request also allows FEMA to transfer up to $30 million 

to the Small Business Administration to ensure that its disaster recovery efforts will continue uninterrupted. 

This request fulfills known and urgent requirements that cannot 

reasonably be met under the current FY 2004 funding level. I recommend that you designate the proposal contained in this transmittal as an emergency requirement. 

I have carefully reviewed this proposal and am satisfied that it 

is necessary at this time. Therefore, I join the Secretary of HomeVerDate Aug 04 2004 01:08 Sep 09, 2004 Jkt 029012 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 6601 Sfmt 6601 E:\HR\OC\HD209.XXX HD209
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land Security in recommending you transmit the proposal to the 

Congress. 

Sincerely, 

JOSHUA B. BOLTEN, Director 

Enclosure. 

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY 

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE

DISASTER RELIEF FUND

For an additional amount for necessary expenses under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 

U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), $2,000,000,000, to remain available until expended, of which up to $30,000,000 may be transferred to ‘‘Salaries 

and Expenses,’’ Small Business Administration for administrative 

expenses to carry out the disaster loans program authorized by section 7(b) of the Small Business Act: Provided, That Congress designates the amounts provided herein as an emergency requirement 

for this specific purpose. This request would provide an additional $2.0 billion for the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management 

Agency (FEMA) for disaster relief associated with Hurricanes 

Charley and Frances, as well as other ongoing and future disasters. 

The funding will support response efforts, including assistance to 

families and individuals so that they can be sheltered, fed and provided with medical and other care. Additionally, the funding will 

support emergency protective measures and debris removal in the 

affected areas and other urgent response requirements. The request also allows FEMA to transfer up to $30 million to the Small 

Business Administration to ensure that its disaster recovery efforts 

will continue uninterrupted. 

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