Albio Sires: “Our country is reeling from a natural disaster that has left dozens dead, caused billions of dollars in damage, and…”

“Our country is reeling from a natural disaster that has left dozens dead, caused billions of dollars in damage, and forced thousands out of their homes. Hurricane Harvey has wrought a level of devastation and suffering that is nearly unparalleled in our country. It is now our duty as America's representatives to live up to our role and help our neighbors when they are in need. This body cannot afford to delay providing disaster assistance in the wake of this storm, as Congress did when my own state was recovering from Superstorm Sandy in 2012. Month after month, funding was withheld from our cities by political quarrels that came at New Jersey's expense. For five months, our communities were forced to wait for the federal assistance they needed to rebuild critical infrastructure. Cleaning up the damage caused by Hurricane Harvey is a task that is beyond any single state's resources and I will not stand by quietly if Congress fails to provide swift relief for Harvey's victims. I hope that this body has learned from its mistakes, will stand together, set aside its differences, and immediately provide the communities affected by Hurricane Harvey with the necessary assistance to recover and rebuild. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Poe of Texas). The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Frelinghuysen) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 502. The question was taken. The SPEAKER pro tempore.…”