Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, yesterday I had the opportunity to come and update the House on the flooding conditions in the State of Louisiana. I talked about how this is, potentially, the fourth most costly flood disaster in U.S. history. Louisiana received 31 inches of rain in a 36-hour period, which is what the American average rainfall is. It would translate to nearly 25 feet of snow if it were a snowstorm. Mr. Speaker, I want to put this in a personal context. Think about a person who owns a $200,000 house. That person's house is now worth $100,000 because it is flooded and gutted. That person is going to have to pay $120,000 to finish his mortgage, which means he is upside down on his mortgage. It is going to cost him $80,000 to rebuild his house, $40,000 to replace his car, $10,000 to replace his wardrobe. Mr. Speaker, the Stafford Act is insufficient to address these financial situations that people are facing today. This isn't one person. This is tens of thousands of homeowners and businessowners across south Louisiana who are facing this impossible financial decision before them in the coming weeks. I urge the White House to immediately send a supplemental appropriations request to the Congress. Let's get working on this and resolve this issue. Make this an easy decision for folks back home so we can get back on our feet. ____________________”