Reinforcing Education Accountability in Development Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the supplemental bill for Hurricane Harvey relief. This bill will provide $15.3 billion in emergency funding, including $7.4 billion for FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund, $7.4 billion for Community

Development Block Grants to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and $350 million to support the Small Business Administration's Disaster Loan Program to assist small business and homeowners.

This supplemental bill is not only a critical first step to provide basic needs of food, shelter, and water for those in immediate need, but it also provides initial funding to begin the process of rebuilding and recovery for those communities devastated by Hurricane Harvey.

Further resources and hard work will be required. I will continue to work closely alongside my colleagues and the Appropriations Committee to meet the present and emerging needs of our neighbors across the Southeast. My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by these devastating storms.

This bill addresses the urgent needs of those affected by Hurricane Harvey. It sends a powerful message to all that we are here for them and we will be working hard for them throughout the recovery. Mr. Speaker, I strongly encourage a vote on this bill.

As an aside, I grew up in Houston, Texas. I was born there, I grew up there. I remember floods, but I never remember floods that washed away people's homes and their livelihood. This is a once-in-a-lifetime situation down there, may we all pray, and it is time to get it done.

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