Full committee
The Committee will come to order.
Hello, everyone. Welcome to the first meeting of the Committee on Appropriations for the 113th Congress. I'm looking forward to a busy, successful year chock full of plenty of Appropriations work.
The main order of business today is the consideration and adoption of our Committee rules, subcommittee jurisdictions, and oversight plans.
Before we get down to the nitty gritty, I would like to make some general opening remarks.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to present legislation providing emergency supplemental funding for Hurricane Sandy relief and recovery.
The base bill totals $17 billion in crucial funding to meet immediate needs for the victims, businesses and communities devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Since this terrible storm hit, we have come to realize that recovery is going to take months and years – not days and weeks. This legislation puts the region on the path to recovery by providing the aid needed for immediate relief, while also beginning the process of meeting longer-term recovery needs.
Good afternoon, Chairman Sessions, Ranking Member Slaughter and members of the Committee. I am here before you today to present legislation providing urgently needed funding for Hurricane Sandy relief and recovery.
I am sure I don't need to explain to you why it is crucial we consider and pass this legislation, given the size and scope of the devastation caused by this storm. It's clear that recovery from this terrible hurricane is going to take months and years, not days and weeks, and thousands of victims are currently awaiting much-needed assistance.
To that end, this legislation will provide $17 billion in immediate relief funding to support the Disaster Relief Fund, transit and housing recovery, Army Corps of Engineers projects, and other emergency needs.
