HOUSTON, TEXAS – U.S. Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen (NJ-11), the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, has completed a two-day fact finding trip to storm-ravaged areas of Florida and Texas with the Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan.  The delegation visited Jacksonville and Miami and took an aerial tour of the Florida Keys before visiting the Houston metropolitan area to assess Hurricane Irma and Harvey recovery efforts in order to ensure that funding is readily available to meet the needs of the victims of these disasters.

“These were distinctly different storms but they both shattered the lives of many of our fellow Americans.  Homes are destroyed.  Businesses are heavily damaged.  The power remains out in many areas.  The Florida Keys are particularly devastated,” said Frelinghuysen.  “The hundreds of thousands of victims of these destructive storms are still in the early stages of what will be a long and difficult recovery from Harvey and Irma, and now, Maria in Puerto Rico. We will work together to make sure that the necessary federal resources are in place for the rebuilding. We will be there every step of the way.”

The delegation received multiple briefings in Florida and Houston from federal, state, and local officials including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). 

Frelinghuysen’s Appropriations Committee plays a central role in ensuring that the federal government provides the help the victims need.  “It was important for me to be on the ground to listen and learn and to reassure residents and local officials that that we will help them rebuild. 

This month, the Congress quickly passed a bipartisan bill that Frelinghuysen developed to replenish funds in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Disaster Relief Fund and the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

“I also appreciated the opportunity to thank personally the first responders and the military members who risked their own safety to rescue so many victims.  These courageous and dedicated individuals continue to be vital to this recovery.”

-30-