Rep. Rouzer talks disaster aid for Carolinas

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — In Washington, the US House of Representatives has overwhelmingly passed legislation to provide nearly $1.7 billion in aid to residents of the Carolinas to help recover from recent natural disasters.

The aid was added to legislation to keep federal aviation administration programs running beyond September 30.

Lawmakers describe the aid as a down payment and say billions more will be needed in the months ahead.

WWAY spoke to Representative David Rouzer Thursday about the bill and when the Carolinas could start seeing the money.

“I anticipate the senate will pass this FAA disaster recovery bill very, very quickly,” Rep. Rouzer (R) said. “That money will then be on its way to the states to be dispersed. It does take a little time for that money to channel through. The state has to have a program in place, but the state has some experience with this obviously with Hurricane Matthew and a number of kinks that they’ve been working through.”

The senate needs to pass the bill before it can be signed into law.