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[Page S3071]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
DISASTER RELIEF
Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, the Appropriations Committee staff was
working until midnight last night, as they do so often, on the disaster
supplement. We know that in January the House sent us a disaster
supplemental appropriations bill to help communities across the Nation.
These communities were dealing with the deadly aftermath of hurricanes,
floods, earthquakes, and volcanoes.
It has been my experience over the years that normally disaster bills
sail through both Chambers of Congress. Every Member knows that one day
it will be his State or her State that needs help recovering from a
disaster.
I well remember when we had a terrible hurricane in Vermont; it
created the most damage in generations in our State. The day after the
devastation, I went with our Governor and the head of our National
Guard in a helicopter to survey the damage. For many towns, the only
way we could reach them was in a helicopter. The bridges were like a
child's toy, twisted and gone. The roads totally disappeared. Houses
were upside down in the river.
It was heartbreaking, but as we were going there, I received email
after email. My Senate colleagues, many of them Republicans, said
``Vermont stood with us when we had''--and they named the disaster.
``We will stand with you.'' That is what we do. It doesn't make any
difference whether you are a Republican or a Democrat; if there is a
disaster, you stand together.
What I cannot understand is that in my 44 years here--it was
different this time. When we brought up a disaster supplemental
appropriations bill in January of this year, the President of the
United States came out swinging against it. Why? Because the bill
contained assistance for Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico had been hit by 2
back-to-back, category 5 hurricanes, and apparently providing
assistance to 3 million Americans in need was a step too far for him.
He did not want to provide aid to these Americans. ``Not one more dime
for Puerto Rico'' he was reported to have said--shocking words for
somebody who holds the highest office in the land, especially after
they had nearly unprecedented back-to-back hurricanes.
From the beginning, I have said what my Republican colleagues and
Democratic colleagues have always said. It is a role of the Federal
Government to stand by all Americans in times of need. It should not
matter whether you are a Georgia peach farmer, a California small
business owner, or a child living in San Juan. If your community is
devastated by a natural disaster, you are an American, and the American
community will stand with you. That is what I have always fought for.
So here we are, 5 months later--5 months of negotiations, 5 months of
talks--and we finally reach a deal on a disaster aid bill that helps
all--all Americans. We don't pick and choose. It is a good deal. It
addresses the need from Alabama to California and many States in
between. But 5 months is too long to wait. It is far too long for the
communities who are trying to rebuild their homes and their towns, so
we have to act now.
The President has asked that we add $4.5 million to the disaster
supplemental bill to address the issues that we face at our southern
border. I agree with the President that some of this money is badly
needed. We don't dispute that. But everyone in this Chamber,
Republicans and Democrats, knows that under this President, anything to
do with immigration is controversial; it is going to be hotly debated.
We have been working night and day to strike a compromise on the
President's request. When we finished in the middle of last night, we
were close, but we are not there yet.
I hope in the next few hours we can resolve our remaining
differences, but if we cannot reach agreement, then at least pass the
disaster bill without it today--not tomorrow, not next week, not next
month--today. Five months has been too long for America to have to
wait.
We have a deal on the disaster aid bill. It is a bipartisan bill. It
is supported by Democrats and Republicans. It is ready to go. Let's
pass it today, and let's show the American people we stand with them in
times of crisis, just as Members of this body stood with my beloved
State of Vermont when we were hit. We didn't say we are Republicans or
Democrats. We said that we are Americans, and Americans have been hurt,
and Americans stand together when we are suffering. Today, Americans
are suffering across this country. Let us--as the conscience of the
Nation, the U.S. Senate, let us stand with them, and let's get the
disaster aid they need.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. SASSE. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order
for the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
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