The White House on Friday asked Congress for $60.4 billion in emergency aid for communities hit hard by superstorm Sandy, and argued that no spending cuts should be made to other programs to cover the new expense.The first formal price tag on the storm that devastated the Northeast in late October, the request is likely to be the initial installment of federal aid needed to help the region’s recovery.The large request presents a new challenge for Congress during its highly contentious lame-duck session, and it remains to be seen how much money lawmakers actually can clear quickly in a Sandy recovery package. Senate Democrats having set a goal of clearing an aid bill this month.The White House already is seeking to counter conservatives’ potential objection to the hefty measure by arguing that last year’s debt accord (PL 112-25) allows for spending caps to be waived in the case of emergencies.
oop's when you are distracted by saying no to everything you lose track of what you said yes to.
remember Cantor wanted to know they could be payed back for his own states disaster in Va., before they gave assistance if he cares so little about home the northeast might be SOL.
The request is in line with the $60 billion figure that Reid had suggested earlier in the week. Members of the New York and New Jersey delegations had balked at earlier reports of a disaster aid package in the $45 billion to $55 billion range, calling it insufficient.
Among the biggest expenses in the package are an about $6.2 billion for repairing public transportation and $13 billion aimed at creating safeguards against damage from future storms.
once again the republicans get to determine if Americans are worthy of gov't monies that most have paid in taxes to the gov't for things like this. puts you in mind of Social Security that too is payed for but they still want to pick at it.
