Kingsport Reporter

U.S. Representative Diana Harshbarger has expressed concerns over President Joe Biden's recent request for $98.6 billion in disaster relief from Congress, stating that it falls short of addressing the needs of Tennessee.

The President made the emergency supplemental aid request on November 18 to assist victims affected by natural disasters, particularly Hurricanes Helene and Milton, as well as other emergencies.

Harshbarger represents eight East Tennessee counties severely impacted by Hurricane Helene, which resulted in 17 fatalities in the state. In an email to Knox News, she highlighted that Tennessee requires $510 million to repair its infrastructure, including roads and bridges that remain closed.

"From our early conversations with TDOT, it appears that number isn’t met in the president’s proposal, which includes almost $2 billion for the Francis Scott Key Bridge (in Maryland) alone," Harshbarger stated.