Why Damaged Churches Can’t Get Disaster Aid
Unprecedented natural disasters in the country have left many churches damaged and in desperate need of repair, but under current laws, houses of worship do not qualify for federal disaster relief.
Senators James Lankford, R-Okla., Ted Cruz, R-Texas, John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Roy Blunt, R-Mo. introduced the Federal Disaster Assistance Nonprofit Fairness Act this week in hopes of changing the current laws to make houses of worship eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) aid.
“FEMA has now for two decades interpreted nonprofits as everyone but churches,” Senator Lankford told CBN News. “Myself and several others have said to FEMA you can’t just say to churches that are devastated by Irma and by Harvey, by wildfires, that the library can get benefits, the utility company next door can get benefits, the zoo can get benefits and the museum can, but if you’re a church, you’re out, you’re on your own.” {eoa}
Reprinted with permission from CBN.com. Copyright The Christian Broadcasting Network, all rights reserved.
