Neal Dunn: “Today, this Congress will finally finish its work on a disaster supplemental. For my district, this bill comes almost 8…”

“Today, this Congress will finally finish its work on a disaster supplemental. For my district, this bill comes almost 8 months after Hurricane Michael destroyed 12 counties in Florida. For 8 months, I have hammered this Congress about the devastation and desperate needs in my communities. Month after month, one political excuse after another has been used to delay the emergency disaster supplemental, which had always been prompt and never been politicized. But not this time. This time, my neighbors, my communities, and my friends were left to wonder why Washington doesn't care about them. Whatever became of Americans helping Americans? To my colleagues who have unnecessarily delayed this bill, and who may even today vote against it, I ask why. Some colleagues will say their principles required a recorded vote, even though the content of this bill has been known for months and debated for months. In fact, we had a chance to vote on the amendments to it just 2 weeks ago. For those upset at the cost, okay, spending in Washington is a problem. But are they willing to make an empty gesture about balancing the Federal budget on the backs of Americans who have lost everything? Are they willing to force the airmen at Tyndall and the marines at Camp Lejeune to halt work to repair their bases because they ran out of money over a month ago? How about the foresters in the timber industry who grow a commodity not covered by Federal crop insurance or any other program?…”