| Washington, DC – U.S. Representative William J. Jefferson (D-LA) fired off a letter to House Committee on Appropriations Chairman Jerry Lewis and Committee Ranking Member David Obey requesting they accept the Administration’s $4.2 billion Community Development Block Grant request for Louisiana’s rebuilding efforts. In its draft of the supplemental appropriations bill, the committee removed language directing the full $4.2 billion to Louisiana because no state has ever been granted a state-specific earmark for disaster relief.
“I want to be clear about my firm belief that the needs of Alabama, Mississippi and Texas should be addressed,” Jefferson wrote. “However, I believe their requirements can and should be met with additional separate funds, as needed. The President’s request recognizes the distinct needs and unique scope of problems facing Louisiana, and I would urge the Committee to match fully the level of the request.”
Jefferson went further to address the Administration’s original language requiring that the $4.2 billion be conditioned on Section 404 of the Stafford Act, the Hazard Mitigation program. He urged the committee to respect the Louisiana’s “comprehensive, thoughtful and accountable” rebuilding plan and not condition any supplemental budget funds on hazard mitigation requirements.
“This sound plan for our State’s future cannot be realized absent the fulfillment of the Administration’s pledge of $4.2 billion without the severe and obstructive restrictions of Section 404 of the Stafford Act,” he wrote.
The Chairman’s draft of the supplemental bill must still be approved by the Appropriations Committee before moving to the House floor for a vote. The bill must also be approved in the Senate Appropriations process. A final vote on the measure is not expected until April. |
