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Rep. Frank Pallone, (D-N.J.), on the growing anger over the House not voting on a relief bill for the victims of the storm.
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Outrage over relief -- hurricane sending the house not voting on that sixty billion dollar package that was passed by the senate.
It's a problem when it it's loaded with pull it gives millions of dollars to a whole raft of things although -- hurricane relief.
Whitmore let's bring in congressman -- companies Democrat from the congressman great to have you with us on the show now.
Thank you we understand the outrage that you haven't got the help that you want and need and we've got that.
But my question is.
Why was this senate bill.
So loaded with -- items that appear to have nothing to do with Sandia dole because.
That is a source of outrage elsewhere in the country so my question is why the poll -- a congressman.
Well I don't know what they mean by court coming I know that some people were concerned about the fisheries disaster aid -- He thought that.
You know why we have fisheries disaster aid but for example.
You know I have fishing ports where they've had their fish processing plants destroyed and their -- destroyed and so that's important.
But it was a 150 million dollars to fisheries in Alaska he was 600 million dollars for climate change to the EPA.
338.
Million I think it lost to Amtrak.
Two million dollars to -- -- one -- one room at the Smithsonian.
In that the people object to that because we're a trillion dollars in debt every year they wanna know why can't we have a bill that addresses those people who all victims and that's it.
-- -- -- -- I would say the same thing in other words if you talk about Amtrak.
But there was major damage to Amtrak -- the northeast corridor.
And you talked about the Alaska fisheries.
Well that was that may not have been for this particular storm but it was another fisheries disaster.
Related.
You know natural disaster -- event that occurred I think you know a few months ago so every one of these things is linked to either.
Hurricane -- or other natural disasters that have occurred and I I I I think that the bottom line is in every case it's something that is important for relief.
In the aftermath of the hurricane so -- at this point the main thing we're concerned about is the fact that there's been no movement at all.
On this legislation benefited passed yesterday the day before.
In the old congress.
We would be on the way to rebuilding the Jersey Shore now we're just sitting here waiting it may be weeks before we get any kind of relief which is really unfortunate.
And deplorable you know my constituents.
And we say no homes and we say no to anything or anybody in America today.
And if we are excited OK if I if I would -- if our congressman and I said no I'm sorry New Jersey and New York.
You're not gonna get 600 million dollars for climate change in the EPA.
I want the -- that's related to what I'm sure that's related to it as well the killer Florida congressman I mean where a trillion dollars in debt to win a form yes.
It's not fair to say that we in New Jersey -- New York can afford.
To have the federal government you know provide us some relief in the in the aftermath of this hurricane.
When this kind of disaster relief has been given to it.
People in New Orleans after Katrina and tornado Alley in other parts of the country.
I mean we pay a lot of money into the federal government and I have people that don't have housing.
I have towns that you know gonna have to raise -- taxes that they haven't gotten the reimbursement from the federal government.
I have -- protection and dune restoration that if it doesn't take place.
Very soon.
Is is that you know another flood comes and there's going to be even more damage to the towns.
So I really feel very right now that is the federal government's responsibility to come together on a bipartisan way.
And -- this bill so that my constituents get some relief I mean you've seen the damage that we suffered.
I have under the new just I live on tax revenue just I got -- -- about -- got to numbers point when hurricane Andrew.
Just really hit -- in Florida the relief bill that congress passed with seven billion dollars seven billion.
The total budget of the state of New Jersey for one yet he's -- billion.
Now we have a relief package for sixty billion.
Primarily for New Jersey the New York it seems like the amount of money is so veterans.
That the rest of the full debate on -- and you should not be passed.
Real fast haven't had that debate yet hobbled why don't have the debate one because the speaker wouldn't bring the bill -- all we asked was that the speaker.
Bring that bill up on the floor and that we have the data is part of the democratic process and have vote on the amendments and up or down vote and we were never given that.
The speaker never brought the bill to the floor and that's not fair to my constituents who.
You know are suffering.
Frankly that they don't have a full and fair debate we didn't ask for anything else other than it be brought to the floor and that we have the debate and we have a vote and we have not had that opportunity.
And that's not fair academic.
Credit system give it our democratic system is running a trillion dollars a year deficits and you know -- -- Do you think I'd six I don't I think that we have to come together look the winds sixty billion congressman sixty I don't know our business it's.
All documented and this is a natural disaster and I think that the federal government.
And both Democrats and Republicans have an obligation.
To bring this to the floor and have a debate if -- -- those who don't like it they can vote -- But we never have that opportunity and that's not fair in this system particular in the it in the aftermath of such a horrific event.
Congressman -- we do appreciate you being with us that we appreciate the situation that you -- -- thanks for joining us appreciate it.
Thank you because.
Congress.
