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

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, Representative Slaughter, for yielding me this time. I would also like to thank Representatives LOWEY and KING for their leadership on this issue, and I commend my colleagues in the New York and New Jersey and Connecticut delegations on both sides of the aisle for working so well together to advance the interests of our States at this critical time. And I would also like to thank my friend, Mr. Cole, for his support.

I rise to support the rule and urge my colleagues to support H.R. 152 and the Frelinghuysen amendment and to oppose the Mulvaney amendment.

It has been 2 1/2 months since Superstorm Sandy hit communities in New York, New Jersey, and neighboring States which continue to face the almost insurmountable task of cleaning up and rebuilding homes, businesses, and lives. I'm grateful we've finally had the opportunity to consider a relief package to those who are most in need.

In my district on the eastern half of Long Island, businesses, farms, and homes fell victim to intense flooding. Ferocious winds caused substantial damage to property, vehicles, and businesses; and along the coast, Sandy created breaches in the coastline and severely eroded other parts of the beach. In New York and New Jersey, at least 651,000 homes were damaged or destroyed, and approximately 463,000 were impacted.

Mr. Speaker, our States are not asking for anything more than for help to get back on their feet and rebuild. We are asking for nothing more than to respond to this disaster as we have for Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters that have brought damage upon our fellow Americans.

I urge my colleagues to support this package without any damaging amendments.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source