Members of the House approved the Hurricane Sandy relief package of $51 billion yesterday, amid debate. While Congressman Bill Pascrell (D-9th Dist.) told NJ Today Senior Correspondent Desirée Taylor that the amount of time it took to get the aid package passed was unacceptable and ridiculous, it was worth it. He said the next step is to make sure the Senate moves on the package when members return to session next week.
Pascrell said the use of amendments to the package came from Tea Party members, who he said handled this the same way they’ve handled health care — where they try to whittle away at the amount of money.
WATCH VIDEO:
“The question is, is this productive or just holds up progress? I conclude that it holds up progress. Anybody can ask questions, that’s what we’re there for. We don’t want people to rubber stamp. But New Jersey, which is one of the largest donor states in terms of taxes to the federal government, is always the first state — it’s not the second or the third — that comes forward to be helpful,” Pascrell said.
He pointed out that after Hurricane Katrina hit, members of Congress held a voice vote for much of the aid money, about $10 billion. He also criticized a congressman from South Carolina who wanted additional amendments before supporting the relief money. Pascrell said he was one of the people who got federal money from the Small Business Administration since his business had been hurt.