It’s mind-boggling that some Congressional Republicans would beg and plead with the Obama administration for emergency relief for their districts when those districts were hit with a natural disaster like a hurricane or flooding. But when they had an opportunity to help Americans in other parts of the country, like those affected by Hurricane Sandy, these same Republicans voted ‘no’ to providing this help.
In a recent vote held in the United States House of Representatives, 67 Republicans voted against helping the victims of Hurricane Sandy. But some of these same members requested funds from the government when the people they represent needed help.
Members like Missouri Republican Sam Graves who—just two years ago—begged President Obama for an emergency declaration freeing up big time federal bucks to aid the people in his home district in their hour of need following a severe natural disaster.
And what do you imagine the money was for?
Would you believe it was for damages Graves’ constituents suffered from flooding-the very same problem in New York and New Jersey that today’s House vote was addressing?
Here is what Congressman Graves had to say when it was his neighbors who were under water:
“I urge the President to approve this assistance without delay. Many communities along the river have been stretched to the limit preparing for and fighting this unprecedented flood.”
Yes…he really said that.
And yet, today, the Congressman voted to deny similar aid to the victims of Sandy.
In 2009, Georgia Republican Paul Broun applauded the larges sums of FEMA money being spent in his Congressional district when parts of Stephens County suffered serious damage as a result of…wait for it…flooding.
Today, Congressman Broun cast a no vote on a bill created to help out those suffering from flooding in New York and New Jersey.
And then there is Republican Congressman Mo Brooks of Alabama who, in 2011, held town meetings back home to help educate constituents victimized by a devastating tornado as to how to go about getting federal assistance money that his constituents would not have to pay back.
Here is the statement the distinguished gentleman from Alabama issued at that time as a part of his effort to bring people into his town meetings:
“I urge tornado victims to attend these meetings to better understand their federal assistance rights. Some of it is in the form of loans, SBA long term low interest loans but there are also direct grants that you do not have to repay if you qualify, unemployment compensation, rents as you try to find a new place to live.“
Today, Congressman Brooks voted against providing the funding to pay the rightful claims to those who suffered in Sandy.
