[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 5 (Friday, January 18, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E38]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 152, DISASTER RELIEF APPROPRIATIONS 
                               ACT, 2013

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                               speech of

                             HON. RUSH HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 15, 2013

  Mr. HOLT. Madam Chair, I rise in support of the Disaster Relief Act. 
This bill brings much needed aid to the residents of central New 
Jersey.
  I am concerned that several amendments to H.R. 152 would impair the 
ability of money in the bill to be spent wisely. The amended bill 
includes a provision that would block funding that enables coastal 
communities to develop mitigation plans for future hurricanes and other 
severe weather events. We should not be limiting NOAA's ability to 
forecast and respond to hurricanes in an emergency appropriations bill 
that is designed to respond to a hurricane.
  I intended to offer to H.R. 152 an amendment that would have lifted 
the $250,000 cap on Community Development Block Grant Funds (CDBG) that 
can be used by towns and municipalities to finance critically need 
infrastructure projects. There are towns in my district that would 
benefit from upgrades to existing flood management infrastructure, yet 
are unable to afford the costs associated with these projects. 
Unfortunately, my amendment was not made in order by the House 
Leadership.
  While I support strongly passage of H.R. 152, I want to reiterate 
that our fellow citizens affected by Hurricane Sandy have already 
waited far too long for help from Congress. In other natural disasters, 
such as Hurricane Katrina, Congress acted swiftly, and aid reached 
those in need. And yet, the 112th Congress adjourned before passing a 
much-needed disaster relief package. The Senate had already acted to 
pass a well-constructed aid package bill. The only reason that this 
bill is not law today is that House leadership refused to act.
  This devastating storm has left many people hurting in many different 
ways--shopkeepers, homeowners, fishermen, hotel and restaurant owners--
and has damaged the entire economy. H.R. 152 responds to this variety 
of needs and concerns. I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

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