Rep. Grimm Urges White House to Reconsider Hurricane Relief Request; Doesn’t Meet NY’s Needs

WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Michael G. Grimm (R-SI/Brooklyn) issued the following statement in response to reports that the White House plans to ask Congress for roughly $45 to $55 billion in recovery aid:

“Today’s news that the president plans to ask Congress for roughly $50 billion in recovery aid certainly falls short of our needs.  President Obama saw firsthand the devastation throughout Staten Island and the region, and I respectfully urge the White House to keep our recovery needs in mind and to reconsider the amount of disaster relief funding to more adequately reflect the necessities laid out by our governor and mayor.

“Governor Cuomo has shown exceptional leadership in assessing New York’s needs and making only the most essential recovery aid requests.  He has reached out to the New York delegation, and we stand united in our efforts to seek as much aid as possible to help New York recover.  I also continue to work with my Republican colleagues in the House to gain their support for any emergency relief package.

“While we are all working to strike a balance as we approach the fiscal cliff, this issue is the farthest thing from the minds of my constituents in Staten Island who are struggling to pick up the pieces of their lives as they rebuild or start over.

“No matter how well we prepared, no one could have anticipated the amount of devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy. New York was once again attacked – and while this time it was by an act of God and not an act of terrorism - I believe we as a nation have a responsibility to provide adequate aid to those suffering from the wrath of Hurricane Sandy, and will do all I can to deliver that aid to the people I represent.”

NY is seeking $42 billion in recovery aid. The total aid being sought by NY, NJ, and CT is reported at $82 billion.

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