Begich Calls for Certainty in Disaster Funding
Urges swift passage of the continuing resolution
U.S. Sen. Mark Begich released the following statement about the importance of passing disaster relief funds contained in the forthcoming Continuing Resolution this week:
“Alaska communities have felt the damaging effects of Mother Nature’s unpredictability to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage over the past few years.
“Disaster relief projects in Crooked Creek and Salcha are currently on hold because Congress has failed to act and there are at least nine more Alaska disaster projects that could be affected if they qualify for funding.
“There’s only so much rural Alaska communities can do on their own to pick up the pieces after a generation or more of work on a home or business is washed away by a flood or ground up by ice.
“FEMA is dangerously close to running out of money. Last week the Senate approved full funding for disaster relief projects across the country with the support of Alaska’s Senators. Now the much needed funding for these projects is part of the Continuing Resolution for Fiscal Year 2012 and it is imperative Congress pass the bill.”
Last week the U.S. Senate approved funding for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster relief funding. Currently the Senate is awaiting a continuing resolution from the House of Representatives which includes FEMA disaster relief funding for Fiscal Year 2011. When approved by the House the continuing resolution will face a Senate vote. The continuing resolution is necessary to keep the federal government funded until November 18.
Contact: Heather Handyside – (907) 350-4846