FEINGOLD
SUPPORTS FUNDING TO HELP WISCONSIN FLOOD VICTIMS
Measure Also Delays Implementation of Harmful Medicaid Regulations,
Enhances Education Assistance for Veterans, and Extends Unemployment
Benefits
June 26, 2008
Washington, D.C. –
Today, U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) backed an amendment to the
emergency supplemental funding bill that includes much-needed federal
assistance for Wisconsin communities hit hard by flooding earlier this
month. The bill will provide flood-ravaged communities of Wisconsin
and the Midwest with $2.65 billion in disaster relief. With damage assessments
underway, Wisconsin has already identified $400 million dollars worth
of damage, over 15,000 residents have registered for individual assistance,
28 counties have been declared disaster areas, and over 4,000 wells
have been contaminated. Following the flooding, Feingold, along with
other Midwestern Senators, urged Senate appropriators to include the
emergency funds in the supplemental spending bill. Feingold has traveled
to Sauk and Columbia counties to see the damage firsthand. He has also
spoken directly with FEMA Administrator R. David Paulison and asked
him to move quickly to help deliver aid to Wisconsin.
“Wisconsin has not
seen devastating flooding like this in a long time and my thoughts are
with those who lost so much,” Feingold said. “This funding
will greatly help Wisconsin families and communities rebuild. As damage
assessments continue, I will continue working with FEMA, Congress and
the Governor to ensure our state gets the assistance it needs.”
In addition to flood assistance,
Feingold is pleased the emergency funding bill prevents Medicaid cuts
for Wisconsin, provides more educational assistance for service members,
and extends unemployment benefits. The bill enacts moratoriums on six
Medicaid rules which would have cut coverage of necessary health care
services for many Wisconsin children, families, and seniors. The package
includes educational benefits for service members who have served in
active duty since September 11, 2001 by helping to pay for college tuition
and housing costs. Feingold also hails the extension of unemployment
benefits by 13 weeks for workers in Wisconsin who have exhausted their
benefits, a measure he has long supported because the unemployment benefits
extension helps workers and their families and stimulates the economy.
“I am pleased this
package will ensure Wisconsinites maintain access to Medicaid, our service
members receive the educational benefits they need, and unemployment
benefits are extended for Americans in this struggling economy,”
Feingold said.
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