GOP Rep. Wants To Slash Flood Preparedness Funding In Hurricane Sandy Aid Package

[DonViejo]

By Travis Waldron posted from ThinkProgress Economy on Jan 12, 2013 at 10:50 am

Georgia Rep. Paul Broun (R) has proposed amendments cutting $300 million from the $17 billion House relief package for states affected by Hurricane Sandy. Among those cuts are nearly $20 million meant for studying future flood risks.

Such studies would lead to investments that would help reduce the risks of major flooding and to better infrastructure projects. But Broun, a stalwart conservative, believes that represents wasteful spending, The Hill reports:

Two of Broun’s amendments would affect the main bill, by removing $19.5 million to study future flood risks and removing $3 million for oil spill research.

Hurricane Sandy left large swaths of New York and New Jersey underwater. The Senate’s aid package included a total of $5.3 billion for future flood prevention, and experts have begun exploring various ways to protect New York City and New Jersey from the possibility of major flooding in the future. As the Sacramento Bee editorialized, “by failing to finance flood control projects and programs to protect communities against other natural disasters, Congress is adding to the potential liabilities of the federal government.”

House Republicans initially decided not to take up the Sandy relief package before passing a smaller bill as the last Congress ended. Some Republicans have renewed their calls that the relief funding be offset by spending cuts elsewhere, including cuts to every discretionary spending program in the federal budget.

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http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/01/11/1438941/rep-slash-flood-preparedness-funds/

[CurtEastPoint]

1. He is undoubtedly the most shameful, heinous person in GA. I am embarrassed.

[Stringfellow Hawke]

2. All hurricane-prone red state representatives or senators should heed this:

Any cut or funding to help relief from a major hurricane that comes from a hurricane-prone red state will NOT receive such aid and be told "You're on your own" if any such cut is needed for any additional protection.

And I think it needs to be an amendment or a rider in order for the House to quickly either 1) reject it or 2) accept it.

[CherokeeDem]

3. Welcome to DU....

Love your user name!!

[Stringfellow Hawke]

4. Why thank you very much.

I appreciate the welcome

[Angry Dragon]

5. Broun is an idiot