On the recordJanuary 16, 2019
This amendment amends a section of the base bill that sets out the sequence of assistance for communities seeking relief. The base bill maintains that CDBG-DR funding should be used after grantees sought out funding from FEMA and the Army Corps of Engineers to meet any needs that remain. Public Law 105-276 limits the use of CDBG-DR funding to $250,000 per Army Corps of Engineers' project, and this provision would not be changed by the amendment. The amendment would allow communities to utilize CDBG-DR funds for a project in advance of FEMA or Corps of Engineers' funding. The CDBG-DR funding would still be subject to the usual limitations on duplication of benefits. I have some concern that the amendment's language is ambiguous with respect to the phrase ``in excess of the authorized amount of the project.'' I assume that the gentleman means the authorized amount by FEMA or the Army Corps, respectively, and not an amount authorized by HUD. I yield to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Graves), if he would respond and confirm my understanding.
