House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Sunday closed the door to Congress returning early to pass funding to respond to Hurricanes Milton and Helene. Why it matters: Lawmakers in both parties who represent areas affected by the storms have pushed to cut the October recess short and reconvene to pass a disaster relief package.

Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday that Congress will “do whatever is necessary to cover the needs of the people” after Hurricane Helene and Milton, but that it would be “premature” to come back to Washington now before assessing how much disaster relief is needed.

House Speaker Mike Johnson plainly rejected calls for Congress to return to pass more funding bills for hurricane victims, claiming that FEMA already had “what they need” at the moment. In an interview with Margaret Brennan on CBS' Face the Nation Sunday, he played down calls from both sides of the aisle for Congress to return from recess.