Nancy Kassebaum: “I, too, am pleased that we have been able to come together in agreement on the amendment put forward by the Senator from…”

“I, too, am pleased that we have been able to come together in agreement on the amendment put forward by the Senator from Connecticut and the Senator from Rhode Island. Senator Dodd has been an eloquent advocate for wanting to make sure that these workers who may be laid off due to some sort of natural disaster would be taken care of, and we had some lengthy debates in the committee. This is an issue on which Members on both sides of the aisle have worked hard to address. The national interest in addressing major economic dislocations from natural disasters is something that affects all of our States and goes often across State lines. It is difficult for States to adequately prepare to handle themselves when there is a disaster that may happen without any advanced notice. While I have been reluctant to set aside a large amount at the Federal level which would further diminish moneys going to the States, this amendment will allow those funds already set aside at the national level for incentive grants to also be used for rapid response grants. This will assist workers affected by plant closures or mass layoffs or natural disasters.”