Rep. Fattah Will Introduce $12 Billion Emergency Aid Bill for FEMA

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA-02) will introduce legislation to provide $12 billion in emergency assistance funds – with no budget offsets – for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to oversee Hurricane Sandy recovery.

"The American people deserve, and insist on, the kind of first-rate recovery response that FEMA can provide," said Fattah, whose Philadelphia-based district was impacted by the unprecedented hurricane along with major portions of the East and Midwest. "But we cannot do it on the cheap. Congress must step up and provide the federal resources this emergency requires."

Fattah said, "President Obama has demonstrated extraordinary leadership in preparing for this storm and launching recovery efforts. He has worked in close cooperation with governors and mayors throughout the affected areas, and our emergency responders have done their jobs. Now, right now, is the time for Congress to do its job in this crisis."

Fattah will introduce the funding bill when the House convenes for a brief session Friday. If Congress does not return in special session, its next regular session is Nov. 13.

"We have always provided necessary funding for emergencies without cutting the budget elsewhere, and the pay-go rules of the House provide for these exceptions. Clearly, with major population and commercial centers along the East Coast and in the Midwest hobbled, this is such an emergency," Fattah said.

"This Congress has been defined by brinkmanship which we can ill-afford during such a crisis as this and with such anticipated urgencies," Fattah said. "We have a responsibility to ensure that FEMA doesn't run out of money part way through the job. We must assist state and local governments in returning families, businesses and communities to full recovery."

SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED