North Carolina’s $13.5 Billion Federal Bailout Request Exposes Washington’s Failure to Prioritize America’s Recovery

Nearly a year after Hurricane Helene ravaged North Carolina, leaving over 100 dead and tens of billions in damages, the state finds itself still fighting for the federal resources necessary for recovery. Governor Josh Stein’s urgent plea to Congress for an additional $13.5 billion is a stark indictment of Washington’s inability — or unwillingness — to swiftly deliver disaster relief where it counts. How Long Will Bureaucracy Stand Between Americans and Recovery? The damage inflicted by Helene was immense: roughly $60 billion in losses across western North Carolina alone. While the federal government has allocated some $5.2 billion thus far,...