On the recordSeptember 22, 2011
I thank the distinguished chair for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this must-pass resolution. This CR not only keeps the government operating, but it provides a substantial infusion of desperately needed funding totaling $3.65 billion for disaster relief and emergency flood control efforts. That's funding to sustain disaster relief efforts in hard-hit States all across this Nation, including the devastation that hit my home State of Alabama back in April of this year. That's funding to address the record flooding up and down the Mississippi River and along the east coast resulting from Hurricane Irene. That's funding to help tens of thousands of people who have lost virtually everything but the shirts on their backs. Mr. Speaker, the time for talk and the time for politicking is over. It's time to pass this vital resolution, provide our Nation with necessary disaster relief funding, avert a government shutdown, allow Congress to scrub the administration's full disaster supplemental request, provide the needed oversight, and complete the work on the FY 2012 budget. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this vital resolution and responsibly address our Nation's most pressing needs.
