Rep. Ratcliffe Statement on Hurricane Harvey Relief Package

Statement

Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-Texas) released the following statement on his vote for the passage of the Hurricane Harvey relief package:

"I just voted to provide desperately needed relief funding for Hurricane Harvey. This is the beginning of a long process to rebuild the homes, lives and communities that have been devastated by this unprecedented natural disaster. But make no mistake -- I'm bitterly disappointed by the fact that my only way to help my fellow Texans, some still in waist-deep waters, was to have my compassionate vote tied to a short-term raising of our federal debt ceiling. A once-in-1,000-year hurricane should be met with historic levels of compassion and support, not heightened political gamesmanship and legislative tricks. The House of Representatives approached this correctly. We swiftly passed a standalone funding package for Hurricane Harvey relief by a 419 to 3 margin. The Senate's inability to do the same is deeply troubling for all the people of Texas and Louisiana whose lives depend on our response, and it's my hope that ongoing relief efforts over the coming months and years can focus purely on helping those in need."

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