[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 61 (Monday, April 28, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E599]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  THE RYAN REPUBLICAN BUDGET: DANGEROUS TO OUR NATIONAL SECURITY AND 
              DANGEROUS TO OUR SAFETY IN NATURAL DISASTERS

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                         HON. YVETTE D. CLARKE

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 28, 2014

  Ms. CLARKE of New York. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in opposition to 
the severely regressive Paul Ryan Budget Proposal, a radical and 
erosive bill that undermines our national security by slashing funding 
for essential emergency assistance and jeopardizes our preparedness and 
safety in natural disasters.
  The Ryan Budget would be a fiscal wreck to high-growth states and 
states affected by natural disasters. In the immediate aftermath of a 
disaster, states and local areas often depend on help from the Federal 
Government. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) helps people 
affected by the disaster get food, water, and shelter, and helps with 
search-and-rescue missions and providing electric power. FEMA also 
helps states and local governments repair or replace public facilities 
and infrastructure, which often is not insured.
  Last year New York was completely devastated by Hurricane Sandy. 
Sandy's impact included the flooding of the New York City Subway 
system, many communities, the closure of all road tunnels entering 
Manhattan except the Lincoln Tunnel, and the closure of the New York 
Stock Exchange for two consecutive days. Thousands of homes and an 
estimated 250,000 vehicles were destroyed during the storm. Economic 
losses across New York were estimated to be at least $18 billion. In my 
district, it was nothing less than a miracle that the section of the 
Shore Parkway connecting Sheepshead Bay with Canarsie was not 
destroyed; which by coincidence, a National Park Service project had 
placed a huge amount of soil near the bridge, which effectively saved 
it.
  The Federal Government's ability to respond to natural disasters, 
like Hurricane Sandy would be significantly hindered under Chairman 
Ryan's Budget Proposal and shift very substantial costs to states and 
localities forcing them to make do with less during difficult times of 
disaster.
  House Republicans continue to push for devastating cuts that threaten 
the safety net designed to provide the most basic needs for millions of 
Americans at their most vulnerable time. It is for these reasons that I 
will vote ``no'' on this budget and I ask my colleagues to oppose this 
budget as well.

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