News

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) released the following video featuring Hurricane Michael survivors telling their personal stories, and asking Congress to put politics aside, and do its job. Even though the Category 5 storm devastated Florida’s Panhandle almost seven months ago, Congress continues to play politics instead of passing critical disaster funding for local communities still struggling to recover. For the Florida Panhandle, the consequences of this inaction are severe, including at Tyndall Air Force Base, which needed funding by May 1^st in order to continue to rebuild.  
 
A broadcast quality video can be found here.
 

 
“We need it now. We don’t have time to wait anymore.” — Ali Wiggins, Marianna
 
“Hurry. Time has run out.” — Caroline McRae Dauzat, Graceville
 
“Please help us.” — Laurie June, Mexico Beach
 
“Do something.” — Tanya Castro, Mexico Beach
 
“Stop the fighting.” — Michael Scoggins, Mexico Beach
 
“It seems like we’ve all been forgotten, and we don’t understand why we’ve been forgotten.” — Thomas Flowers, Blountstown
 
“Act. Do something. Either do something, or come down here and live in a tent with the rest of the folks that are living in tents still.” — Richard Williams, Marianna
 
“We are in the best country in the world, but we are allowing our citizens to live the way they are living right now, because of petty partisan politics.” — Kevin Lanier, Mexico Beach
 
“Our community needs assistance. Our community needs disaster funds.” — Carmen Smith, Marianna
 
“Overwhelming, and Frustrating. Those are the two words I keep coming back to.” — Eade Family, Marianna
 
“What is taking so long? Why can’t we get the funding? Why can’t we get the help that every other major storm, every other category five storm has received?” — Doug Crosby, Panama City
 
“We feel like the forgotten coast, which was a quaint saying, has taken a negative connotation, and it is now the forgotten coast. And no one is realizing just how much devastation there still is, just how much of a struggle day to day life is, for children, for parents and families, for businesses.” — Albaugh Family, Mexico Beach
 
“The whole area needs funding, desperately.” — Coba J. Beasley, Marianna
 
“It’s 100% necessary.” — Scott Brown, Bristol
 
“We are a disaster right now, and we need the funding.” — Johnny Eubanks, Bristol
 
“It kind of affects everything.” — Jake Keeney, Panama City
 
“The need is more than ever.” — Ryan Harmon, Mexico Beach
 
Related:

• April 30, 2019: Rubio Meets with Panama City Officials in DC on Disaster Funding, Hurricane Michael Recovery
• April 11, 2019: Rubio, Colleagues Decry Lack of Action on Critical Disaster Aid for Recovering Communities
• April 11, 2019: Rubio: Playing politics with disaster funding, Democrat obstruction hits new low
• April 6, 2019: Rubio’s office urged FEMA to increase the number of approved TSA extensions for Hurricane Michael survivors.
• April 3, 2019: Rubio, Scott Introduce Disaster Opportunity Zones Act to Aid Communities Recovering from Natural Disasters
• April 1, 2019: Rubio: Shameful to Play Politics with Disaster Funding
• March 28, 2019: Rubio Files Amendments to Disaster Supplemental to Increase Aid to Florida Communities
• March 27, 2019: Rubio Highlights Importance of Supporting Aid to Puerto Rico
• March 27, 2019: Rubio, Scott Request TSA Extension from FEMA for Floridians Affected By Hurricane Michael
• March 14, 2019: Rubio Introduces Border Security and Disaster Response Supplemental
• February 26, 2019: Rubio, Colleagues Introduce Major Disaster Relief Package
• February 13, 2019: Rubio, Colleagues Urge Congressional Leadership to Take Prompt Action on Disaster Funding