Stefanik supports hurricane relief

PLATTSBURGH — Rep. Elise Stefanik voted in support of the Senate amendment that provides emergency funding for hurricane relief and extends government borrowing authority until Dec. 8.

"This important legislation provides needed disaster relief as well as government funding while we finish our appropriations bills in the House," Stefanik said in a statement.

"Thousands and thousands of families across Texas were devastated by Hurricane Harvey, and the local response from our district has been overwhelming.

"The federal government needs to provide disaster relief for situations like this, and as Hurricane Irma moves closer to the United States, it’s important that Congress signals that we will support relief from these devastating natural disasters."

The legislation passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 316-90.

RESPONSE, RECOVERY

The amendment to H.R. 601 – the READ Act – provides $15.25 billion in emergency funding for the Federal Emergency Management Administration, the Small-Business Administration and the Department of Housing and Urban Development to use for initial response and recovery efforts following hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

Also, $7.4 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund within FEMA will be used to assist the ongoing federal response to hurricanes.

The fund provides assistance to states and localities for emergency protection, debris removal, repair and restoration of public infrastructure and financial assistance to eligible disaster survivors.

DISASTER LOANS

Another $450 million will go toward the Small-Business Administration's Disaster Loan Program to assist small businesses and homeowners.

The program provides low-interest loans, which, in a declared disaster, can be used to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery, equipment, inventory and business assets.

Also, $7.4 billion for HUD Community Development Block Grants will be allocated for disaster relief, recovery and restoration of infrastructure and housing in disaster areas.

The legislation allows Disaster Relief Fund spending flexibility to accommodate Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma and other ongoing disaster-response efforts and extends the National Flood Insurance Program.

It also continues to fund the government and extends the debt limit through Dec. 8.

BEING READY

Stefanik said she helped re-introduce bipartisan legislation to help communities better prepare for natural disasters.

The Strengthening the Resiliency of Our Nation on the Ground (STRONG) Act would provide communities with access to information needed to prepare, plan for and recover from natural disasters such as hurricanes and wildfires through the creation of a national resiliency information clearinghouse.

The idea is to allow states and localities to more quickly adapt planning and response techniques that have been successfully deployed in other parts of the country, making them more resilient to disasters and reducing recovery costs.

"This bipartisan legislation takes a proactive approach to disaster relief," Stefanik said.

“Natural disasters should be prepared for in advance to better ensure families, businesses and communities are ready when they strike. This common-sense legislation will help protect communities across the country from these devastating events."

The STRONG Act also aims for long-term savings through other factors besides the clearinghouse:

• Establishing a federal inter-agency working group to maximize government efficiency in its support of state, local, and private sector resiliency efforts.

• Making sure all levels of government are communicating weather information effectively.

• Creating a unified strategic vision for resiliency efforts across the federal government moving forward.

Email Joe LoTemplio:

jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com

Twitter: @jlotemplio