WASHINGTON, D.C.???After a delay from Congress on the passage of emergency funding for Hurricane Sandy recovery, the House of Representatives approved $9.7 billion for the National Flood Insurance Program in a 354 to 67 vote Friday, Jan. 4.
U.S. Rep. Frank A. LoBiondo (NJ-02) applauded the passage of the first of two bills encompassing the full $60 billion emergency supplemental funding requested by New Jersey-New York-Connecticut to rebuild in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency notified Congress on Wednesday, Jan. 3 that the NFIP was expected to run out of money to pay for more than 100,000 outstanding claims by next week.
?Today?s vote is a key step in getting critical federal assistance to the residents, businesses and communities devastated by Hurricane Sandy. This week?s events make it clear that the need for help is real and that any additional delays in providing federal aid will be met with fierce resistance from myself, members of the delegation, and Governor Christie. I hope my colleagues recognize politics has no place when dealing with a disaster and that the overwhelming bipartisan support demonstrated today is present as the remaining federal aid is considered,? LoBiondo said.
Earlier this week, House Speaker John Boehner (OH-08) and Majority Leader Eric Cantor (VA-07) granted LoBiondo and members of the New Jersey and New York delegations two votes in the House on the emergency supplemental after failing to take up the measure in the final days of the 112th?Congress.
The second vote, scheduled for Jan. 15,?will include the remaining $50.3 billion of the $60 billion request.
As crafted by LoBiondo and his colleagues, the House package will still strip out the extraneous spending directed to states not affected by the storm. It will then be sent to the Senate for their approval.
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