LoBiondo Statement for Senate Hearing Examining Impact of Hurricane Sandy

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Frank A. LoBiondo (NJ-02) today submitted the following statement for the record to the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee for their hearing “Sandy and Its Impacts: A Local Perspective.” LoBiondo was invited to testify this morning in-person but was unable to attend due to a previously-scheduled hearing in the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

November 29, 2012

U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works

Full Committee Hearing: “Sandy and Its Impacts: A Local Perspective”

Testimony by The Honorable Frank A. LoBiondo (NJ-02)

Madame Chairwoman and members of the Committee –

The Second Congressional District of New Jersey was one of the hardest hit areas of the Mid-Atlantic Region by Hurricane Sandy. As President Barack Obama saw first-hand in Brigantine, New Jersey, individuals’ livelihoods and their way of life have forever been changed due to the horrific flooding and winds caused by Sandy’s storm surge. Even though coverage of this devastation has left the front pages of many newspapers, it is still at the forefront of my mind and those of my constituents. That is why I implore this committee to take whatever steps necessary to ensure the residents and businesses of New Jersey and other affected areas get the federal assistance they need to get back on their feet and rebuild one of this nation’s most diverse, iconic, and historical landscapes.

To date, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and other federal agencies and departments have truly been “boots on the ground,” ensuring disaster assessments are being conducted in a timely manner. However, the most recent damage assessment by Governor Chris Christie of approximately $37 billion for all of New Jersey makes it clear that the state will not be able to handle this financial burden alone. Emergency supplemental funding will be needed and should not be delayed by political ideological battles.

Looking ahead at the magnitude of what it will take to get my district back in standing order, I have already sent letters on additional funding for the Flood Control and Coastal Emergency (FCCE) account, asking to complete all relevant and previously authorized Army Corps beach and flood control projects in New Jersey, a federal fisheries resources disaster declaration for New Jersey, and bringing an expedited emergency supplemental bill to the floor, to name a few. These are just a few of the areas and specifics this committee needs to think about as it looks towards the long term recovery.

Congress has worked together in a bi-partisan, bi-cameral manner in the past to respond to other natural disasters such as earthquakes in California, tornadoes in Missouri, and Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast. New Jersey should not be treated any differently when it comes to federal relief and recovery efforts from Hurricane Sandy.

I appreciate this Committee’s hearing here today and stand ready to work with my colleagues in both Chambers of Congress to expedite the necessary federal aid needed to rebuild the affected communities.

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