N.J. Lawmaker Led Effort To Cut FEMA Relief Budget (Then Harvey Hit)

As the death toll from Hurricane Harvey reaches 47 and damage estimates approach record-setting levels, the need for financial assistance for the victims has become frantic. But will the tragic scale of the storm affect a proposed $876 million cut to FEMA’s future relief funding?

Earlier this summer, U.S. Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen, the veteran Republican lawmaker from New Jersey’s 11th District, spearheaded an effort in the House Appropriations Committee to cut nearly $876 million from FEMA’s disaster relief funding as part of the annual Homeland Security spending bill, the Associated Press reported.

But in the wake of Harvey – which some experts say may be the most damaging storm since Superstorm Sandy – lawmakers may be considering a rollback of the planned FEMA cut.

"Circumstances have changed significantly since the bill was drafted earlier this summer," Appropriations Committee spokeswoman Jennifer Hing told the Associated Press. "Given the current situation, the committee is reassessing the issue."

• See related article: Trump To Pledge $1M Of Own Money For Harvey Relief

When asked if there were any plans to adjust the proposed FEMA cut because of Harvey, a Frelinghuysen spokesperson told Patch that “circumstances and funding priorities have clearly changed since the bill was drafted in early summer.”

Frelinghuysen provided Patch the following statement about the proposed FEMA budget:

“One of the nation’s greatest natural disasters continues to unfold before our eyes and our committee is fully committed to meeting the short- and long-term needs of disaster victims in Texas and Louisiana. Having led efforts to assist Superstorm Sandy survivors in the Northeast, I believe that every type of resource ought to be utilized to support rescue, relief and recovery efforts. The people of Texas and Louisiana should be reassured that our committee will work with the [President’s] administration to make sure the money will be there.”

Congress will consider the spending plan and proposed FEMA cut when it returns to work after its August break on Tuesday, Sept. 5.

• See related article: Frelinghuysen-Led Plan Has $1.6B For Trump’s Border Wall
• See related article: Will N.J. Get Fair Share From Federal Spending Bills?
• See related article: Frelinghuysen Says FEMA Grants Will Make New Jersey Safer

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