The entire Missouri congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Roy Blunt and Josh Hawley, and U.S. Representatives Sam Graves, Blaine Luetkemeyer, Emanuel Cleaver, II, Vicky Hartzler, Ann Wagner, Wm. Lacy Clay, Billy Long, and Jason Smith, sent a letter August 19, 2019, urging the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to release disaster relief funding to help Missouri communities rebuild houses, businesses, and other public infrastructure damaged by recent weather events.

Funding for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) was included in the disaster aid bill, which was signed into law in June 2019.

“As you are aware, Missouri has been devastated by historic flooding along the Missouri and Mississippi River systems. Our constituents now face the difficult task of rebuilding their homes, farms, schools, and businesses,” the delegation wrote. “We ask that HUD coordinate with FEMA to ensure that CDBG – DR funding be quickly and accurately disbursed to communities in need. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.”