Texas Border Business
WASHINGTON— Yesterday, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28), a member of the House Appropriations Committee and the Homeland Security Subcommittee, questioned Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Brock Long on the agency’s Hurricane Harvey relief efforts and the long-term goals of the Disaster Relief Fund.
Congressman Cuellar and FEMA Administrator Long discussed the role of both the federal and state governments when responding to natural disasters, how FEMA funding can be used to help the rebuilding efforts in Texas, and if we need to make necessary changes to the way that disaster relief funding is allocated.
In light of Administrator Long’s view of FEMA’s limited role in only providing immediate recovery assistance, Congressman Cuellar questions how these resources can aid recovery and prevention efforts in Texas and assist rebuilding communities affected by disasters in the future. He believes that Congress should make necessary changes to the way that disaster relief funding is allocated.
“I applaud FEMA’s response in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey,” Congressman Cuellar said. “Their great work was clearly visibly in their quick and effective determination in protecting and serving the American people. Although we must continue supporting the agency long-term, we must also look at other ways to assist ailing communities towards a path to recovery. FEMA makes it clear that they have received funding and have done their job. Congress now has the responsibility to step in and fix the supplemental, to ensure that funds can be given to places that need it most.”
Click here to view/download the video from the Committee Hearing yesterday.
