WASHINGTON, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- U.S. President Obama sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner Friday requesting an additional $5.1 billion for disaster response needs for 2011 and 2012.
"I ask the Congress to consider the enclosed budget request for disaster response needs through Fiscal Year 2012. It includes a supplemental appropriations request for FY 2011 of $500 million and a budget amendment for FY 2012 of $4.6 billion for the Department of Homeland Security," Obama wrote in the letter released by the White House press office.
"The proposed totals for FY 2011 and FY 2012 would increase by $5.1 billion as a result of this request. The additional funding would fund disaster response needs in the Disaster Relief Fund, including approximately $1.5 billion for the Federal share of costs to respond to Hurricane Irene," the letter said.
Obama said the requests are meant for "urgent and essential needs" and the appropriations would be designated as an "emergency requirement," citing the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended by the Budget Control Act of 2011.
