Disaster aid for Iowa flooding is delayed
By Ed Tibbetts Lee Enterprises | Posted: Thursday, July 24, 2008
WASHINGTON -- Congress has delayed consideration of a bill that includes disaster aid for Iowa, prompting criticism from the state's lawmakers.
The delay, until after Congress' August recess, will leave people and businesses devastated by tornadoes and flooding in limbo.
"Congress doesn't seem to understand the devastation. We've got an emergency, and Congress needs to respond," Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said. "If my colleagues doubt me that this is an emergency, I'm in Iowa every weekend and I'll be happy to show them around."
The government already has approved $2.6 billion in disaster assistance, but a second request was made, too. On Tuesday, Iowa Gov. Chet Culver met with the congressional delegation and said he was asking for more than $1 billion.
"In the past, Congress has moved quickly in response to other extraordinary disasters, and this should be no exception," Culver and Lt. Gov. Patty Judge said in a statement released Wednesday. Iowa officials have argued the state's flooding should be treated with as much urgency as Hurricane Katrina.
Senate aides said Wednesday the delay will cause more uncertainty among business owners and people in such places as Cedar Rapids, where people are trying to make decisions on whether to rebuild or move.
In the Quad-Cities, where flooding was less severe, there still was significant damage. Public infrastructure damage and costs from flooding and storms totaled more than $5.5 million, according to preliminary estimates in Davenport, Bettendorf and the rest of the county.
Also, an estimate on individual assistance applications that have been approved thus far exceed $700,000, said Ross Bergen of the Scott County Emergency Management Agency.
Consideration of the bill was delayed by the Senate Appropriations Committee. It had been slated to take up the supplemental package today. However, the committee chairman announced late Tuesday it was putting off consideration until after the recess.
In a statement, Sen. Robert Byrd, D-West Virginia, said the Senate was busy debating legislation on housing, energy, defense policy and taxes before the recess and "there is no opportunity to begin consideration of a supplemental appropriations bill during the next 10 days."
Congressional Democrats said they would continue to push for the bill.
"Many of our communities have been affected by the recent floods and thousands of Iowans are struggling to get back on their feet," Rep. Dave Loebsack, D-Iowa, said.
Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, said final passage wouldn't have occurred until August anyway, but said the delay is still unwelcome news. He said he would look for other legislative vehicles to which to attach the funding request.
It's not clear how much money would be in the bill for disaster aid. Representatives for Harkin and Grassley have also declined to say how much they requested.
Ed Tibbetts can be contacted at (563) 383-2327 or etibbetts@qctimes.com. Comment on this article at qctimes.com.
The delay, until after Congress' August recess, will leave people and businesses devastated by tornadoes and flooding in limbo.
"Congress doesn't seem to understand the devastation. We've got an emergency, and Congress needs to respond," Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said. "If my colleagues doubt me that this is an emergency, I'm in Iowa every weekend and I'll be happy to show them around."
The government already has approved $2.6 billion in disaster assistance, but a second request was made, too. On Tuesday, Iowa Gov. Chet Culver met with the congressional delegation and said he was asking for more than $1 billion.
"In the past, Congress has moved quickly in response to other extraordinary disasters, and this should be no exception," Culver and Lt. Gov. Patty Judge said in a statement released Wednesday. Iowa officials have argued the state's flooding should be treated with as much urgency as Hurricane Katrina.
Senate aides said Wednesday the delay will cause more uncertainty among business owners and people in such places as Cedar Rapids, where people are trying to make decisions on whether to rebuild or move.
In the Quad-Cities, where flooding was less severe, there still was significant damage. Public infrastructure damage and costs from flooding and storms totaled more than $5.5 million, according to preliminary estimates in Davenport, Bettendorf and the rest of the county.
Also, an estimate on individual assistance applications that have been approved thus far exceed $700,000, said Ross Bergen of the Scott County Emergency Management Agency.
Consideration of the bill was delayed by the Senate Appropriations Committee. It had been slated to take up the supplemental package today. However, the committee chairman announced late Tuesday it was putting off consideration until after the recess.
In a statement, Sen. Robert Byrd, D-West Virginia, said the Senate was busy debating legislation on housing, energy, defense policy and taxes before the recess and "there is no opportunity to begin consideration of a supplemental appropriations bill during the next 10 days."
Congressional Democrats said they would continue to push for the bill.
"Many of our communities have been affected by the recent floods and thousands of Iowans are struggling to get back on their feet," Rep. Dave Loebsack, D-Iowa, said.
Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, said final passage wouldn't have occurred until August anyway, but said the delay is still unwelcome news. He said he would look for other legislative vehicles to which to attach the funding request.
It's not clear how much money would be in the bill for disaster aid. Representatives for Harkin and Grassley have also declined to say how much they requested.
Ed Tibbetts can be contacted at (563) 383-2327 or etibbetts@qctimes.com. Comment on this article at qctimes.com.
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