Reps. Crowley, LoBiondo Lead Bipartisan Tri-State Delegation Letter Urging Congressional Support for Hurricane Sandy Recovery Funding

(Queens, N.Y. and Mays Landing, N.J.) – Today, Reps. Joe Crowley (D-NY) and Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ) led a bipartisan letter signed by members of Congress representing the Tri-State region to Speaker John Boehner and Leader Nancy Pelosi urging Congress to be prepared to provide disaster assistance to those affected by Hurricane Sandy.

The Tri-State area – New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut – faced unimaginable destruction as a result of Hurricane Sandy. The storm claimed nearly 100 lives and a search-and-rescue effort is underway for those still missing. Millions lost their homes and millions more are without power, food and water. The storm also wreaked havoc the region’s mass-transit systems and infrastructure, and entire communities have been destroyed. States, communities and residents are now left to pick up the pieces as an unprecedented recovery effort gets underway.

While the full extent of the damage caused by Sandy is still being quantified, it is clear that the recovery will be a long and costly challenge. Currently, FEMA has over $7 billion available for disaster assistance. However, should the recovery effort exceed this amount – as many experts believe will be the case – the lawmakers want to ensure Congress is prepared to deliver funding expeditiously.

“We understand FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency] may have the resources it needs at this time, but as the full brunt of Hurricane Sandy is quantified, Congress must stand ready to provide the aid and assistance to the people and communities most devastated by this storm,” wrote the lawmakers in the letter.

The full text of the letter is below:

November 5, 2012

Dear Speaker Boehner and Leader Pelosi:

As you know, Hurricane Sandy has ravaged our nation’s most populous region and left mayhem in its wake. The storm claimed nearly 100 lives. Millions have lost their homes and millions more have been left without electricity, heat, and water.  The region’s roads, public transit systems, and infrastructure have suffered billions of dollars in damage. The Tri-State area (New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut) has been declared a major disaster area, emergency declarations were issued for a dozen states, and Sandy’s effects were felt even as far as the Midwest. It is important that Congress act to ensure the families and communities affected by this disaster have the resources they need to recover as quickly as possible.

We are incredibly grateful for the swift, coordinated response by the President, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and state and local governments.  However, the recovery from this terrible tragedy will prove to be a lengthy and costly task. We understand FEMA may have the resources it needs at this time, but as the full brunt of Hurricane Sandy is quantified, Congress must stand ready to provide the aid and assistance to the people and communities most devastated by this storm.  Any effort to ensure assistance is provided to those in need during these very difficult times would, we hope, receive strong, bi-partisan support.

When tragedy strikes in America, our exceptional resolve, our goodwill, and our ability to set differences aside and work together are put on display. Congress must now do its part to help the nation recover. Thank you for your consideration and attention to this urgent matter.

Sincerely,

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