Obama asks for $60-bn from Congress for aid to Sandy hit states
08 Dec 2012
President Barack Obama yesterday asked Congress for $60.4 billion in federal aid for the states hit by Superstorm Sandy in late October, which include New York and New Jersey.
According to commentors, the disaster could be compared with the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks and the 2005 hurricane Katrina that devastated New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.
The request from the president adds to the congressional agenda. The Congress had much on the table already with controversy on how to resolve the nation's budget woes and avoid the so-called fiscal cliff.
"Our nation has an obligation to assist those who suffered losses and who lack adequate resources to rebuild their lives," Jeffrey D Zients, deputy director of Obama's budget office, wrote to congressional leaders.
"At the same time, we are committed to ensuring federal resources are used responsibly and that the recovery effort is a shared undertaking."
The measure seeks to address the requirements of homeowners, businesses, and state and local government hit by Sandy and comes with just a few weeks to go before Congress adjourns.
However, whether the bill would be passed this month or will get delayed to the next was not clear. Most of the money - $47.4 billion would go towards helping victims and other recovery and rebuilding efforts.
In a joint statement, senators Charles E Schumer (D-New York ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York), Robert Menendez (D-New Jersey) and Frank R Lautenberg (D-New Jersey) said the request ''doesn't cover all of New York and New Jersey's needs'' but does cover ''a large percentage. ''
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