News 12 - Senators Graham and Scott Helping Flood Recovery from Washington

News Article

By Peter Zampa

Lawmakers in Washington are already looking at how to provide help to the flood victims in South Carolina - even before the waters have gone down.

In Washington, lawmakers can be disconnected from the problems of their states. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Tim Scott (R-SC) say they are working hard on Capitol Hill to get their state the assistance it needs from the Federal government.

Senator Graham says the best thing he can do right now is let the professionals do their jobs. The Senate is urging the Federal Government to assist where it can, but the real help will come after a full damage assessment in the aftermath of the disaster.

"Anything we ask for in terms of federal aid is specific to this disaster," said Senator Graham. "There'll be no piling on. There'll be no "port barrel' politics here. So that's my main focus. That's where I can help the most - is to make sure the Federal government is responding in an appropriate way, and they are."

Senator Scott says it is impossible to predict how much funding will be necessary from the federal level, but that the resources currently being sent to South Carolina are critical.

"We have local, state, and federal agencies that are looking at ways to be helpful," said Scott. "So the resources that can be deployed, are being deployed at the time that is critical, which is the time right now."

Both Senators voted no on a bill calling for additional funding for Hurricane Sandy back in 2012, but they say that's because it included funding for things completely unassociated with the disaster itself. They don't want any inappropriate funds sent to South Carolina, only what's necessary.

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