Bill would have provided $7 billion for victims of natural disasters, including Hurricane Irene; tens of thousands of New Jerseyans were counting on federal help to clean up and rebuild
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate this afternoon failed to advance a bill that would have provided $7 billion for victims of natural disasters, including Hurricane Irene, injecting a level of uncertainty into the flow of cash that tens of thousands of flood-ravaged New Jerseyans are counting on to clean up and rebuild.
The measure received 53 votes, seven shy of the 60 needed to advance the bill, part of which would fund the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Democrats blasted the vote as another example of partisan politics run amok.
"No wonder Americans are fed up with Congress when the Republicans make disaster victims pawns in a political game," said Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.). "The Republicans seem to be willing to go to any length to make the government appear to be dysfunctional and ineffective."
The uncertainty was something two House Republicans from New Jersey had hoped to avoid in sending a letter last week, asking that there be no delay in disaster aid.
Gov. Chris Christie has said the storm caused billions of dollars worth of damage in New Jersey, and has promised to fight for disaster relief, even if it meant taking on his own party.
"We need the support now here in New Jersey, and that is not a Republican or a Democratic issue," Christie said after touring flood-damaged Lincoln Park. "I don’t want to hear about the fact that offsetting budget cuts have to come first before New Jersey citizens are taken care of."
The governor could not be reached for comment tonight.
Irene, and the ensuing flooding, caused extensive damage throughout the state, with more than 31,000 residents filing claims through FEMA to help pay for damage. And nearly $38 million has been disbursed so far. FEMA regional spokesman Bill McDonnell says the hardest-hit areas were Bergen and Passaic, with each topping 4,000 claims.
Democrats had hoped the $7 billion bill would replenish FEMA, which has spent almost $400 million in the past two weeks on emergency food and shelter, said Majority Leader Harry Reid, (D-Nev). FEMA has only about $300 million left in its coffers, he said.
President Obama on Friday asked Congress for $500 million to ensure the disaster fund doesn’t run out of cash before the end of the month.
Several Republicans have asked the disaster spending be offset by reductions in other areas.
"I plan to insist my fellow senators take a long, hard look at where the funding comes from," U.S. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said today before the vote. "Will it be more borrowing on the backs of our children and grandchildren, or will it be from the coffers of our numerous nation-building programs overseas? America’s priorities should come first."
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.), has said Republicans will attach a disaster-aid package to a continuing resolution, necessary to avoid a government shutdown before the end of the month.
That measure, which is likely to be brought up next week, would give the Senate another chance to vote on disaster relief, but it remains unclear if there are enough votes for passage.
Chris Smith (R-4th Dist.) and Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-11th Dist.) sent a letter to John Boehner (R-Ohio) on Thursday, asking him to ensure FEMA is adequately funded.
"Funding to deal with FEMA’s disaster relief efforts must be properly addressed to ensure New Jersey’s rebuilding efforts move forward in a timely manner and also to eliminate any uncertainty our residents and public officials may have about FEMA assistance," the letter said.
"New Jersey residents, anguished as a result of these storms, cannot afford to have essential disaster recovery efforts interrupted."
The Disaster Relief Fund pays for up to $30,000 in repairs to homes and personal property and reimburses local governments for rebuilding public infrastructure, such as parks, schools, community centers and roads.