A letter has been sent to congressional leaders urging them to bring emergency disaster relief legislation to the House floor as soon as possible. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced it must shift to strictly "immediate needs funding," which is a more limited response effort, to preserve and prioritize what little disaster funding it has on hand. This announcement means disaster recovery projects nationwide will be delayed.

• "Congress must move quickly to stabilize FEMA's disaster relief fund so that impacted communities can rebuild and get back on their feet." - Rep Michael Michaud

The full text of the letter.

The Honorable John Boehner
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
The Honorable Eric Cantor
The Honorable Steny Hoyer
The Honorable Hal Rogers
The Honorable Norm Dicks

Dear Sirs and Madam:

We write to ask for prompt action in bringing to the House floor emergency funding legislation for ongoing disaster relief in the wake of Hurricane Irene. Such decisive action is necessary to ensure that the already depleted Disaster Relief Fund and other federal programs involved in disaster assistance do not run out of the funds necessary for recovery efforts.

Hurricane Irene and the flooding that followed in its wake caused massive destruction to homes, businesses and farms up and down the East Coast. Given the scope of the devastation caused by this disaster, it is eminently clear that state and local officials in the affected areas cannot bear the burden of responding alone. With a Major Disaster Declaration in place, many families, farmers, businesses and communities are eligible for, registering for and starting to receive disaster assistance through FEMA, USDA and other federal agencies.

Unfortunately, programs for disaster relief have been pushed to their limits this year after tornadoes and floods demanded a helping hand for communities in the Midwest and the South. Now, as the Eastern Seaboard struggles to stand up after a devastating blow, FEMA has announced it must shift to only "immediate needs funding" - a more limited response effort - to preserve and prioritize what little disaster funding it has on hand. This announcement means disaster recovery projects nationwide will be delayed and that rebuilding in the wake of Irene cannot begin in earnest until this Congress acts to deliver emergency funding for programs that can help those in need.

As we witness ongoing suffering in the wake of natural disasters across the country, there is no question that the House must act quickly to provide necessary humanitarian assistance to our fellow Americans in need. For those who have lost homes, loved ones and livelihoods, there is no justification for anything less than the best we have to offer.

We respectfully ask that you bring an emergency disaster relief funding measure to the floor swiftly in order to ensure that full response and recovery efforts can proceed at a pace and scope befitting the greatest nation on earth.