Bart Stupak: “I offered an amendment in today's bill that would ban using funds in the supplemental to support FEMA's Congressional…”

“I offered an amendment in today's bill that would ban using funds in the supplemental to support FEMA's Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs Office in Washington, D.C. The amendments were born out of my frustration in dealing with FEMA which, up to now, had an excellent working relationship with my office and many other congressional offices. The problems relate to the very serious floodings in part of my district in May of this year. More than $100 million in damage resulted from floods. FEMA's recommended denial of Michigan Governor Granholm's request for a Federal major disaster declaration that would permit Federal aid to the hard-pressed local governments, businesses, and individuals affected. My district is rural, mostly low income, and these 4 counties just cannot bear this kind of financial hardship and economic burden without our help. My frustration with FEMA is not with the men and women who actually do the work for the agency in the Region 5 office. In fact, FEMA responded with impressive speed immediately after the disaster to put people on the ground and to investigate, even before a formal disaster request was made. My frustration is the runaround I received from the Washington office since the decision in June not to declare a major disaster. For the first time in my 11 years in Congress, I was forced to file a Freedom of Information request to receive the factual information I needed to represent my constituents.”