Cole Celebrates Passage of the American Relief Act of 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 20, 2024
CONTACT: Olivia Porcaro 202-225-6165
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after his legislation, the American Relief Act of 2025, passed the United States House of Representatives:
“Disasters know no bounds - and this year, our nation experienced many. They impacted cities and states across this nation, leaving communities with destruction and despair. It’s a dire reality faced by so many, and one I know too well as an Oklahoman whose constituents have faced a multitude of tornadoes this year,” said Congressman Cole. “In the face of these recent disasters, Americans throughout the country stepped up to help their fellow Americans, and so must Congress.”
“Today, the House acted to provide much-needed assistance as people across the country navigate a way forward. We also supported our farmers, ranchers, and producers to safeguard family farms and ensure food and agriculture security for our nation. The process of recovering from monumental loss demands proper federal support, and this legislation is focused on helping the U.S. heal and rebuild stronger. I encourage our colleagues in the Senate to advance this bill to bring relief to crises felt in every corner of our great nation and keep our government working,” said Congressman Cole.
Details of this legislation:
-Provides much-needed relief to Americans struggling to recover from natural disasters.
-Includes $110 billion in disaster assistance for relief efforts in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Oklahoma, and Western regions, among others.
-Targets resources toward rural communities, particularly farmers and ranchers facing both a tough farm economy and the aftermath of multiple disasters.
-Keeps our government open and working for the American people.
-Allows President Trump to participate in the FY25 appropriations process.
-Prevents a costly government shutdown.
Eligible Funding Accounts for Oklahomans that Rep. Cole Secured in the Disaster Supplemental
-$31 billion for USDA, which will be available to provide disaster and economic assistance to the agriculture community, including the over 13,000 farmers and ranchers in Oklahoma’s Fourth District.
-$1.5 billion to the Economic Development Administration, which could help towns like Sulphur and Marietta plan for long-term recovery and restore critical infrastructure such as sewer upgrades and roadway improvements.
-$2.2 billion for the Small Business Administration Disaster Loans Program, which can be used to help small businesses and individuals that either need loans to rebuild their small businesses or were not able to receive SBA loans due to lack of funding available. This could specifically help the Dollar Tree Distribution Center, Homeland Grocery Store, and Dollar General store in Marietta, as well as small businesses in the Historic Downtown Sulphur Commercial District.
-$29 billion for the FEMA Disaster Relief Fund, which will be available to help with widespread infrastructure needs for the 159 damaged sites in Oklahoma’s Fourth District, including roads, bridges, water systems, and public facilities, and allow individuals and businesses to repair and reconstruct in order to improve resiliency and be better prepared for future disasters. Additionally, Mercy Love County Hospital will be eligible for this funding to help rebuild a new structure and tear down the old structure damaged by the storm.
-$50 million for the Historic Preservation Fund, which will be vital in helping the Historic Downtown Sulphur Commercial District reconstruct and rehabilitate the over 40 resources in the downtown that were damaged or destroyed.
-$2.3 billion for National Park Service Construction, which can be used to help with the recovery of the Chickasaw National Recreation Area to repair tornado damage including maintenance buildings, campground trails, debris removal, and other damages. Additionally, this will help with improving the safety and security of the infrastructure and fences surrounding the area, as well as cover the relocation of the bison herd, pedestrian bridge construction, and making new and existing structures more resilient.
-$17.8 million for the Bureau of Indian Affairs Operations, which can be used to help rebuild and repair tribal homes and roads for tribes in Oklahoma and across the nation impacted by the storms and other disasters.
-$41.7 million for Veterans Affairs Medical Facilities, which will help repair veterans facilities impacted by the disasters, including the Ardmore Veterans Center in my district that experienced damages to the roof due to the high winds from the storms accelerating the need for upgrades.
-$12 billion for Housing and Urban Development Community Planning and Development Fund, which can be used to help the over 4,000 homes in Oklahoma affected by the tornadoes. Many of these homes were so severely damaged that residents have been displaced and the homes require full replacement.