Biden asks Congress to return from recess for Milton aid Bill

President Joe Biden said Congress should return from its recess to pass emergency relief after Hurricane Milton wreaked havoc overnight on Florida's Gulf Coast, leaving millions without power and causing tornadoes that killed at least 10 people.

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"I think the Congress should be coming back and moving on emergency needs immediately," Mr Biden said at the White House on Oct 10.

The most immediate need is funding for a Small Business Administration (SBA) programme to provide assistance to victims of natural disasters, Mr Biden said, though he anticipated that lawmakers would also need to top up the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (Fema) disaster relief programme in the coming months.

"This is going to be a long haul for total rebuilding," Mr Biden said. "It's going to take several billion dollars."

Mr Biden said he had not yet spoken to House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, about his request, though he did detail his concern about the SBA funding in a letter to lawmakers earlier this week.

The President said the Coast Guard and Army Corps of Engineers were assessing how quickly they could reopen the port of Tampa to get fuel, food and other basic goods to the area, and that he had deployed military service members to help with the response.

Mr Biden also warned those in the wake of the deadly storm to continue to practise caution.

"There're still very dangerous conditions in the state, and people should wait to be given the all clear by the leaders," he said.