DeLauro Statement on First Portion of Sandy Disaster Relief Package

House of Representatives Passes $9.7 Billion forFlood Insurance Program

WASHINGTON,DC—Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) released the following statement today onHouse passage of $9.7 billion in disaster relief for victims of HurricaneSandy. Republican leadership split up the original $60.4 billion packagepassed by the Senate last month, slowing down the process of getting aid topeople whose lives were torn apart by the storm. Today's bill willreplenish the National Insurance Flood Program to ensure it can continue payingout claims.

"WhileI am pleased that we passed legislation to help flooded home and small businessowners rebuild, I am deeply disappointed by the Majority's decision to delaycritical relief for victims. The Senate passed a bill that provided allnecessary assistance and we should have done so as well. It is unconscionablethat residents in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey are being treateddifferently than victims of other natural disasters. The unprecedenteddelays that will continue because of this piecemeal approach are emblematic ofthe continued failure by House Republicans to meet the needs of the Americanpeople in their time of suffering."