HONOLULU (KHON2) — As Congress scrambles to avert a government shutdown, Hawaii Senator Brian Schatz is calling on his colleagues to ensure that disaster relief for Maui is included in any short-term spending bill.
With a deadline of September 30 approaching, lawmakers are working to pass a temporary funding measure to keep the government operational.
Schatz emphasized the urgent need for continued support for Maui, highlighting the lack of progress in rebuilding efforts since the wildfires.
“Not a single home has been rebuilt so far. That’s a dire emergency for any community,” Schatz said. “It’s especially concerning as FEMA’s temporary housing assistance is set to expire in five months.”
Without an agreement on the spending bill, parts of the government could shut down starting October 1.