Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn said lawmakers next week will begin immediately to write a bill providing supplemental federal funding for the flood-ravaged state of Texas.
Cornyn, of Texas, told reporters in Houston Wednesday the money would serve as “a down payment” on federal recovery funding that may end up being far more costly than even Hurricane Katrina or Superstorm Sandy.
“We will be working on a supplemental appropriations bill to benefit the victims of Hurricane Harvey,” Cornyn said, appearing alongside many members of the congressional delegation from Texas, including Sen. Ted Cruz.
Congress returns to session on Sept. 5.
Cornyn pointed out Congress has approved supplemental spending for past disasters and added, “this is not just money that is doled out for any purpose. This has to be targeted for disaster relief and recovery from Hurricane Harvey.”
Cornyn suggested Congress would be asked to quickly approve a supplemental spending bill quickly and then perhaps vote on providing even more money later on, an idea Cornyn said the Trump administration appears to endorse.
“We would like to get a down payment early, so we can meet the unmet needs early, while we compile the information we need to qualify for the various categories of federal assistance,” Cornyn said. “What we are going to try to do is build that case, with a down payment up front.”
The Trump administration, Cornyn said, seems “sympathetic to that.”
The lawmakers praised President Trump for his involvement and quick action so far in providing federal assistance.
Cornyn said Trump called him at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday and told him, “Whatever you need, whatever the state of Texas needs, we are there for you.”
Cornyn and other GOP members of the Texas delegation have been criticized for requesting federal money to cope with Harvey because many of them voted in 2013 to oppose a $50.5 billion spending package for the northeastern states devastated by Superstorm Sandy.
Cornyn defended his vote in Houston, arguing he approved an earlier $23.8 billion package for Sandy, but voted against $50.5 billion measure because “it included other things that were not Superstorm Sandy related.”
Cornyn was flanked by Cruz as well as Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady and Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, who represent the affected areas.
Brady said Texas officials will need to determine what role Congress will play in the recovery.
“We need to make sure our families can count on the assistance they need now, our communities need assurance they can rebuild the taxpayers will not be made worse by this,” Brady said.
McCaul said lawmakers will immediately begin work on the supplemental measure when Congress returns next week.
“As I speak, a lot of people are hurting right now,” McCaul said. “People have lost their homes and possessions and some have lost their families. That is where Congress needs to step in and provide that assistance.”
