Matt Gaetz: “I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank Dr. Dunn for the work, not only in ripening this issue, but also in…”

“I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I thank Dr. Dunn for the work, not only in ripening this issue, but also in crafting disaster response legislation that would work for the people impacted by Hurricane Michael. I also want to thank the gentleman from Georgia, Austin Scott. Well before others were speaking out on this issue, Dr. Dunn and Mr. Scott were working very hard to ensure that the needs of our constituents were adequately represented. Madam Speaker, disasters give us time to rise to the occasion as leaders in our community. They give us the chance to inspire people on their worst day, and to ensure that those who carry the disproportionate burden of challenge will be assisted and helped by their fellow countrymen and women in the United States of America. But sadly, following Hurricane Michael, we have not, as a Congress, risen to the occasion, particularly in the Senate, where there is no movement now on legislation, before a two-week recess, to address the terrible tragedy of Hurricane Michael. It is unfathomable to me that every other major storm that has hit our country, named, has received a disaster supplemental. And I guess the constituents that I serve, that Dr. Dunn, that Mr. Scott serve wonder, What is so special about us? What is so different about the people of South Georgia, South Alabama, North Florida, that we would be left out? Is it that Hurricane Michael blew at less of a rate of wind? No. Is it that it dumped less rain?…”