Rep. Jackson Lee Supports Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act
Specifically, the aid package before us provides an additional
Of this amount, as much as
The legislation before also provides an additional
To alleviate the damage and suffering caused by the wildfires in
There are particular concerns for our seniors who survived the terrible storms that ravaged the
We have low-income communities that are struggling to find the new normal that
A substantial portion of
The city has lost low-income housing for the elderly and the disabled.
The number of persons who remain displaced and unable to find permanent housing remains unacceptably high, with many towns and cities left without space at hotels for visitors or tourists, which contribute much needed dollars to local economies.
As we rebuild the city must have sufficient numbers of low-income, affordable, and accessible housing within the city limits so that lives, families and communities can be restored.
The economics of a city requires that we make room for everyone as
Part of the work of rebuilding is to be sure that post-Hurricane Harvey rebuilding and recovery leads to a better quality of life for all of the people of
If we have the right balance of low income, and affordable housing in the mix as we plan the rebuild the recovery efforts will be a great success.
We need a commitment that Community Development Block Grant Program dollars will have a dedicated amount to rebuild, repair, or replace low-income affordable housing.
Recovery work in homes damaged by flood water is hard work for young people, but it is almost an impossible task for the elderly and many are at risk of physical injury or falling into poor health due to their age or medical condition.
I am particularly concerned about the elderly who survived the Hurricanes in
Our nation's seniors are proudly independent, but a hurricane was not part of their retirement plan.
Our seniors are trying to remove water-logged furniture, remove sodden carpets, or knock out damaged drywall. They are put at risk of being injured or becoming ill.
Our seniors should not have to face the task of recovery alone because they have survived their children or may not live near a relative who can help them.
My request to the appropriators is to remember that disasters do not visit only the young and healthy.
The disabled and elderly are victims and their needs during the recovery are very different and this should be addressed.
We need help our elderly and disabled with getting sufficient resources in place to do this difficult and heavy work of clearing their homes so that they are safe, sanitary and can be occupied.
If the homes of seniors are not cleared their lives are put at risk due to mold, which will come because
The
In future disasters there should be an effort to extend the work of federal relief including seeing to the needs of the elderly to be sure they are living in safe and sanitary conditions.
Harvey did not spare
We must include plans to address the root cause of some of the most catastrophic flooding, water releases from the Addick and
I am committed to the
A record 51.88 inches fall in the
According to the
It is not an exaggeration to say that Hurricane Harvey was an historic catastrophic event.
Hurricane Harvey dropped 21 trillion gallons of rainfall on
This amount of rainfall could fill more than 24 thousand Astrodomes or supply the water for the raging
Hurricane Harvey caused damage to more than 134 thousand homes of which 99 thousand are in
The total number of homes with major damage or were destroyed was about 28 thousand, of which 16 thousand are in
And today, nearly four weeks later, thousands of Texans are still without permanent and stable housing situations.
I thank Chairman Frelinghuysen and Ranking Member Lowey, and Speaker Ryan and Democratic Leader Pelosi, for bringing this supplemental funding bill to the floor in a timely manner because it lets the people of
The devastation wrought on that beautiful
At least 48 people have died as a result of the storm as rescue and recovery operations proceed, and no electricity to combat the stifling heat, this number is likely to rise, especially with so many elderly, sick, and very young persons at risk.
As we speak, more than half of
Hurricane Maria destroyed 80 percent of
And yesterday, the Governor of
On
In
At least 124 persons are known to have lost their lives in Hurricane Irma and more than 200,000 Floridians took refuge in shelters.
Nearly 7.2 million homes and businesses were without power in the southeast part of
But what we do know is that the costs of recovery and reconstruction will be extensive, best estimates place the cost in the range of
That is why I strongly support the legislation pending before us appropriating an additional
But I must emphasize that what we are considering here is the initial response because much more funding will be needed because my state of
I will be working closely with House and committee leadership to secure the substantial funding necessary to meet the needs of my constituents in the area of housing, community development, transportation, infrastructure, and water resource management that must be addressed in the next and subsequent supplemental appropriations measures to come before the House.
These are and remain the highest priorities for my
But while that works goes on, we must today rally to the aid of our fellow citizens in
They were, and will be, there when
It is the right thing--the American thing--to do.
I ask all Members to join me in voting to pass this House Amendment to Senate Amendment to H.R. 2266, Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act for Fiscal Year 2017 and to commit to providing our fellow Americans in
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