As Harvey continues to slam the coastal parts of Texas and Louisiana, Congress is starting to plan how to address the need for disaster recovery, rebuilding of infrastructure, and reshaping of affected areas.
ADVERTISEMENT
Texas and Louisiana will need billions from Congress after Hurricane Harvey — here's how they could get it
There are three major ways that the Hurricane Harvey relief bill could go through Congress.
The debate over funding has already been reignited political conflict between Texas Republicans who voted against Hurricane Sandy aid and some lawmakers from the Northeast where the storm hit in 2012. But it is virtually guaranteed that Congress will pass some sort of package soon after it returns from its August recess.
Based on the latest negotiations and discussions, it appears there are three avenues Congress could take:
- Multiple, targeted bills:
- According to Politico's Burgess Everett and Sarah Ferris
- One major standalone relief package:
- Attach the bill to another must-pass piece of legislation:
ADVERTISEMENT
GOP Sen. Tom Cole told Politico that Congress may require extra time to assess the damage of the storm, but he stressed that the body would pass something. Thirty-four GOP senators votes against aid for Hurricane Sandy.
"Most of the people who couldn't bring themselves to vote during the Sandy thing, now the shoe's on the other foot," Cole said.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng
ADVERTISEMENT