DeLauro, Courtney Condemn Inclusion of Misguided Amendment Cutting Funding From McKinney Wildlife Refuge

WASHINGTON,DC—Connecticut Representatives Rosa DeLauro, Joe Courtney and Jim Himesreleased the following statements today condemning the inclusion of a misguidedamendment cutting funding from McKinney Wildlife Refuge to the bill providingdisaster relief for Hurricane Sandy victims.

Thefunding originally included in the bill would have helped restore federallyprotected research buildings at the Stewart B. McKinney National WildlifeRefuge that were severely damaged during Hurricane Sandy. An unwarrantedamendment by Representative John Fleming of Louisiana cut all the funding.

"Ivoted for the bill and am pleased it will provide much-needed relief forConnecticut, but this was a vindictive amendment that needlessly slashesdisaster relief for one particular state," DeLauro said. "Federaldisaster relief is meant to restore homes, businesses, communities and federalfacilities to their pre-disaster conditions. We do this whether thedisaster is a fire in the west, a tornado in the south, or a hurricane in thenortheast. There is no good reason to make an exception of the McKinney Refuge.By cutting the funding needed to rebuild the Connecticut coastline to itspre-Sandy condition, this amendment prevents the McKinney Refuge from meetingits federal commitment to conserve wildlife and provide education and outdoorrecreation for the public. This is a terrible precedent for disaster aid."

Courtney said "Given thefact that the proponent of the amendment comes from a state that received $71million in wildlife restoration funds in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, thisamendment is a bitter pill for a state like Connecticut—a donor state to thefederal government. Hopefully this project will be properly funded at a laterdate so that there will be parity for all states impacted by disasters."