Hurricane Sandy Relief Bill Clears Senate soaks Taxpayers

Can they ever pass a relief bill that does not have millions in pork dollars. What a novel concept to actually pass an emergency spending bill to help people without our $$ to be used by the likes of Schumer and Gillibrand to bring home the bacon. How about actually helping the people instead of creating media event after media event to pat themselves on the back.

The governors of both New York and New Jersey have asked the federal government to come up with a lot of money to help with recovery after Hurricane Sandy. It looks like they’re going to get it even in these tight financial times.

However, the storm relief bill being considered by the U.S. Senate has some interesting additions that have nothing to do with storm relief. For example, millions are being proposed for new cars for the FBI, salmon fisheries in Alaska, New England and the Gulf Coast, and aid to the Kennedy Space Center, to name a few.

It’s how things are done in Washington. It shouldn’t be, but it is. The more people that have a vested (read financial) interest in passing a bill, the greater the likelihood the bill will actually pass. If many senators can all get something in the bill to tout back home, then it’s much more likely the legislation will pass while in Washington, D.C.
NYCF Albamy Update

WASHINGTON — A $60.4 billion bill to pay for recovery efforts in states pummeled by Hurricane Sandy took a major step toward passage in the Senate on Friday.

Voting 91 to 1, Democrats and Republicans came together on a crucially important motion to end debate on the bill and schedule a vote next week.

The move thrilled supporters, who said it meant that the Senate was all but certain to pass the measure.

The motion came after days of intense negotiations in which the bill’s Democratic supporters had to overcome serious doubts, mostly from Republicans, over several issues, including the measure’s cost.

“We are halfway home,” said a jubilant Senator Charles E. Schumer, Democrat of New York. “There were times in the past week when it seemed that this bill would fall to a filibuster. It seemed that there was too much opposition to the bill.”

The bill still faces great uncertainty in the Republican-controlled House, where some leading conservative lawmakers may seek to block it.

In a nod to the uphill battle in the House, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Democrat of New York, said that once the Senate passes the aid package next week, “House Republicans have a moral obligation to come back to Washington and get this important work done.”

The House adjourned on Thursday for the Christmas holidays.

Hurricane Relief Bill Clears Hurdle in the Senate