Ellsworth Backs Midwest Disaster Aid

Press Release

As Hoosiers continue to assess the damage and begin to rebuild in the aftermath of the recent severe flooding, Rep. Brad Ellsworth today announced his support for $2.65 billion in federal disaster relief to help individuals, businesses and communities in the recovery effort. The relief is included as part of an emergency spending bill that also includes funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and provides expanded educational benefits for veterans. The House is expected to begin debating the bill this evening.

"Recovering from these catastrophic storms will require all of us working together. Hoosiers have done their part -- neighbor helping neighbor, stranger helping stranger -- to minimize the damage and help in the clean-up," said Ellsworth. "But they can't do it alone, so this federal disaster assistance is critical in helping individuals, businesses and communities get back on their feet."

The $2.65 billion will be used for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster relief, Army Corps of Engineer efforts to shore up dams and levees, agriculture assistance, Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans, and other disaster recovery efforts.
The bill includes $161.8 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, enough to cover the costs of both wars through the summer of 2009. It also provides expanded educational benefits for returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. The New GI Bill for the 21st Century will cover 100 percent of the tuition costs of a four-year education up to the level of the most expensive in-state public school. It would also provide a stipend for housing, books and other related expenses. Currently benefits only cover about 70 percent of the cost of a public college education or 30 percent of a private college education. will cover 100 percent of the tuition costs of a four-year education up to the level of the most expensive in-state public school. It would also provide a stipend for housing, books and other related expenses. Currently benefits only cover about 70 percent of the cost of a public college education or 30 percent of a private college education.

"I have always said that as long as our troops are in harm's way, we have an obligation to provide them with the funding they are counting on. Our obligations to them don't disappear when they become veterans. We also have a responsibility to help those veterans who want to transition into civilian life by providing them with educational and training opportunities, and this bill does just that," said Ellsworth. "I had serious concerns about previous proposals to pay for the program with an income tax hike on some Americans. While I am glad to see those provisions removed, Congress must make an effort to find another way to pay for the program."

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