| Honoring Promises to the Gulf Coast Region
House to Consider $3 Billion for Road Home Program, Overrides Presidential Veto of WRDA
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
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WASHINGTON, DC—House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn today commented on action in the House of Representatives that meets the promises that House leaders made to the Gulf Coast region in August.
“In another major step towards honoring the promises we made to the Gulf Coast region, the House will take up legislation to provide $3 billion for the critical Road Home program.
“In addition, an overwhelming bipartisan majority in the House overturned a Presidential veto of the Water Resources Development Act tonight. This legislation will bolster the levees and restore the coastline along the Gulf Coast.
“The New Direction Congress has a proven record of addressing the needs of our brothers and sisters in the Gulf Coast. We passed a $6.4 billion Gulf Coast recovery package that was signed into law in May, which also waived the local matching requirements under the Stafford Act saving the region almost $2 billion. We recognize that Hurricanes Katrina and Rita were devastating storms that could have been a natural catastrophe in anyone’s back yard. These are continued steps toward fulfilling the partnership we established with the Gulf Coast region in August.”
The House of Representatives is expected to vote on a provision Thursday to provide $3 billion for the Road Home grant program which helps Gulf Coast homeowners rebuild. This provision will be included in a Continuing Resolution, funding the operations of the federal government through December 14, 2007. Also, the House voted 361 to 54 today to override the President’s veto of the critical Water Resources Development Act, which authorizes $1.9 billion for coastal restoration in Louisiana and authorizes funding to enhance flood protection levees surrounding New Orleans to achieve a 100-year level of protection. Following are Clyburn’s remarks.
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