Barbara Mikulski: “I say to the Senator, we have been advised that we will not be voice voting amendments tonight. But I want to just…”

“I say to the Senator, we have been advised that we will not be voice voting amendments tonight. But I want to just comment that we support the Landrieu amendment No. 3415, which clarifies the intent of section 609(e) of the pending amendment to provide FEMA reimbursements for the first responders. This amendment clarifies the intent that first responders can be reimbursed for wages during a disaster response. But it does not change the conditions of reimbursement that already aid an effective disaster response. We do want to reinforce that both the International Association of Fire Fighters and the International Association of Fire Chiefs support this amendment. At such time a vote is taken, I will urge a ``yes'' vote.”