[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 54 (Thursday, March 28, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S2063]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            DISASTER FUNDING

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, in recent months, my home State of 
Kentucky has been hit by severe weather. Over half of our 120 counties 
have reported flood damage. Governor Bevin has placed the entire 
Commonwealth under a state of emergency and mobilized resources to help 
with recovery. Local, State, and Federal emergency officials have 
started assessing the flood damage. My staff and I are monitoring the 
progress to provide assistance wherever we can. I look forward to 
meeting with the Kentucky emergency management director later today to 
get the latest updates.
  Unfortunately, my State is not alone--far from it. Many States are 
currently bearing heavy burdens in the wake of powerful natural 
disasters. Families in Florida and the Carolinas are still picking up 
the pieces from a damaging hurricane season. In Alabama and Georgia, 
recovery is just beginning after vicious tornadoes. The effects of 
serious flooding remain across the Southeast. In places in the Midwest, 
such as Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska, many Americans are still 
waiting, praying, and working to mitigate the destruction from 
devastating flooding. Many communities are still literally under water.
  I know right now the entire Senate is especially mindful of the 
destruction in America's heartland, so I am grateful for the efforts of 
several colleagues to bring forward a package of supplemental disaster 
relief funds to address the most urgent needs.
  The legislation we are considering this week would help growers and 
producers with storm-related crop losses. It would help local 
infrastructure--from roads to schools and hospitals--resume full 
operation. It would help our Nation's military restore readiness at 
bases and installations that were caught in harm's way.
  Thanks to Chairman Shelby, Senators Isakson, Perdue, Scott, Rubio, 
and others, we will have the opportunity to deliver critical resources 
to the communities facing the long road back to normal. I hope each of 
our colleagues will join me in supporting this measure, which will do 
just that.

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