'Hanging on by a thread': NC business owner urges Trump 'use his influence' to fund disaster aid

North Carolina is among the coastal southeastern states that was hit hard during the 2024 hurricane season.

In Asheville, which suffered considerable damage, disaster relief is an especially high priority for residents.

Katie Britton, an Asheville restaurant owner, discussed that need during a Friday morning, December 20 appearance on CNN.

READ MORE: GOP's latest 'intraparty warfare' puts loyalty to Trump in question: report

Britton expressed her frustration with the spending battle that has been taking place in the U.S. House of Representatives, telling host Pamela Brown that she feels like disaster relief is being held hostage.

So far, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) has been unable to get a bill passed, and a federal government shutdown appears likely.

Britton told Brown, "It is incredibly frustrating and disheartening. The entire community of Western North Carolina and the state of North Carolina is watching this, biting our nails while we're watching it. Because we desperately need this disaster relief bill to go through."

Britton continued, "Basically, we're hanging on by a thread, and it feels kind of ridiculous to feel like you're caught up in the crossfire of some kind of political showdown when what we really need is for our elected officials and our president-elect, using his influence, to come together, put their party designation aside and get this money passed."

READ MORE: 'Institutions kept failing us': Economist Paul Krugman explains America’s pessimism

Watch the video below or at this link.