Providing for Consideration of H.R.152, Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2013

Floor Speech

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Mr. JEFFRIES. On October 29, when Superstorm Sandy struck with devastating ferocity, at home, people died; businesses and homes were destroyed; families were torn apart. In times of disaster, the American people have come to expect that Congress will respond with swiftness and compassion, but the victims of Superstorm Sandy have been forced to languish in agony and languish in uncertainty.

Our response has been characterized by delay, obstruction, postponement, obfuscation. It's unacceptable given the nature of the disaster that people at home have experienced. We have defaulted on our obligation to provide assistance to Americans in need. We're a day late and a dollar short. In fact, we're 78 days late and $51 billion short.

New York, one of the original 13 colonies, has given much to the Republic over the last 236 years. Our sons and our daughters have died in each and every war. FDR, a tremendous statesman, helped us get through the Great Depression, and we regularly give more to the government than we get back in return. I urge a ``yes'' vote on the entire package.

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