Supporting Aid to Florida, Texas, and California

Floor Speech

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Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, I am a proud New Yorker, and today I speak as a proud American. An American tragedy has played out in California, and those who have lost their homes and their lives are first and foremost Americans.

This Nation has an obligation to help all of our fellow citizens. For those who claim America first, its is not America first except for California, America first except for Massachusetts or New York. We owe a debt to help our fellow Americans in California without political considerations or restrictions.

When a hurricane tears through Florida, do we say let's see the Governor's plans to harden infrastructure before we help Floridians? Do we say let's see what local Florida zoning laws allow for buildings near the coast before we grant aid? When tornadoes devastate Texas, do we say how do they make schools less vulnerable before we give Texans assistance?

When Floridians are suffering, I see Americans. When Texans are suffering, I see Americans. As a New Yorker, I support aid to Florida, Texas, and California when they need it without politics.

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