U.S. Sens. Robert Menendez and Charles Schumer today pledged to fight for Hurricane Sandy aid for New Jersey and New York. The federal government is considering creating a national competition for up to $2 billion of the remaining aid.
NEW YORK — Censuring a plan to set aside $1 billion or more of Hurricane Sandy relief aid for a national competition while homeowners continue to struggle to attain the financial resources to rebuild, two federal lawmakers today said they are fighting to give New York and New Jersey first dibs on the funding.
U.S. Sens. Robert Menendez, (D-N.J.), and Charles Schumer, (D-N.Y.), chastised the idea of creating the chance for other states to vie for funding for resiliency projects as a large need still remains among residents in the areas they represent. The money should be funneled into New York and New Jersey first, they said, then whatever funding remains may be offered up elsewhere.
“We must keep Sandy recovery funds for Sandy victims and not build our disaster relief capabilities in the future on the backs of those who already have lost so much,” Menendez said during a press conference at Schumer’s office in New York City. “Every dollar is critical for maximizing the effectiveness of our ongoing recovery efforts.”
The Wall Street Journal reported last week that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is considering using up to $2 billion in Sandy aid to create a national resiliency competition. The report, which cited unnamed sources, said federal officials believed funding had to be spent in other areas because of the way the Sandy relief aid legislation was crafted.
Schumer today disputed that claim. He said while HUD technically has authority to give money to help with other disasters in 2011, 2012 and 2013, it’s not a requirement.
“Sandy was the reason the Sandy bill was passed. It was the clear intent of the legislation that New York and New Jersey homeowners get aid first and foremost,” he said.
However, according to HUD, others parts of the country hit by natural disasters have already received more than $1 billion in Sandy aid. That funding was partly directed to help with the aftermath of tornadoes in Joplin, Mo., and mudslides in Colorado.
Congress took three months after Sandy ravaged coastal communities in New York and New Jersey to pass a $50 billion Sandy aid package.
Of that, $16 billion was set aside for a flexible grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Federal spending cuts reduced that amount to $15.2 billion.
So far, roughly $10.5 billion has been allocated, with most of that dedicated to New York and New Jersey.
New Jersey has so far received nearly $1.83 billion, with another $1.46 billion on the way. But nearly $18 billion in unmet needs for housing, economic development and infrastructure will remain in New Jersey after that second round of funding is distributed, according to the state.
The federal government has some $3.6 billion in flexible grants left to spread out.
HUD spokesman Patrick Rodenbush said the agency’s top priority is to work with state and local officials to address unmet needs for residents impacted by natural disasters.
“In regards to any disaster funding, no determination has been made on programming or allocations of remaining funds," he said.