Jim Nussle: “as a Representative from Iowa, we recognize what it's like to be devastated by natural disaster. This summer we…”

“as a Representative from Iowa, we recognize what it's like to be devastated by natural disaster. This summer we experienced the floods, the great floods, the 500-year floods of 1993. Now it's California's turn. We need to provide and we must provide assistance to our fellow citizens in southern California. And I believe we as Federal Representatives of the taxpayers must also answer the questions--how much does it cost and where will we come up with the money to pay our bills. We can and must do both--provide and pay. I believe we need to support offsets for the assistance and we can do so in a very fiscally responsible way to the victims. I sent three letters to the Speaker of the House this year to reform the system of disaster assistance. Three letters that have yet to receive a reply. To set up a bipartisan task force. A task force to study the way we disastrously fund and deal with disasters in this country. I think it is time for action Mr. Speaker. I think it is time to reform our system. I think it is time to provide the assistance. And it is also time to pay.”