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Subscribe to RSSToday, by a bipartisan voice vote, the House Appropriations Committee approved $1 billion in disaster-relief funds for communities affected by the weather damage in the Midwest and other areas.
The money will be in an amendment to a Homeland Security bill that will be on the House floor in the middle of next week.
The $1 billion will be fully paid for by an offset. That offset is a $1 billion cut in a Department of Energy program called, "The Advanced Technology Vehicle Loan Program," which was in the stimulus package. It's a program both sides were willing to cut.
Yesterday, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) caused some consternation amongst some when he said any supplemental funding bill for disaster relief would have to be paid for -- and thus not add to the debt. Today’s bipartisan vote ensures that will be the case.
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I was watching Hardball when, they cut in with a live feed from Oklahoma City and the tornado's that are devastating the area...
I'm praying all of you in the effected areas are safe & sound, especially one of my favorite posters Skip Nicholson & his lovely family!
This is NOT the time for anyone in Congress to be playing freakin politics!
These are peoples lives who are being affected!
I agree, and can someone tell me when we became so selfish?
These Americans need help now, not when all the republican's demands are met!
Now this is a righteous use of an amendment to a piece of legislation. Thank you to all involved on both sides of the aisle.
Glad there was bipartisanship in setting money aside to rebuild Joplin. I don't think the American people would have stood for bickering on this issue.
I lived in Memphis back in 1994 when coming home from a college basketball game at the Pyramid almost got caught in a tornado that hit in Germantown where we were living. Our house survived but I remember a new subdivision almost completed was reduced to splinters...! It was the most frightening day my wife and had ever faced!
So many people have been left homeless from these toronados, please give what you can to the Red Cross! We have and will!
Our prayers go out to those folks in Joplin, Oklahoma, and elsewhere that are truly in need right now! God bless them!
My thoughts and prayers are with the people in Oklahoma City tonight. I hope Skip and family are safe.
Thank you Lisa!
According to MSNBC- fatalities have already been confirmed & I am worried to DEATH!
Feisty, I will hold them in my heart tonight.
Thank you lisa - that's mean a lot!
Fiesty. It looks like it's going to be a long night.I will be around for awhile tonight if you have any news. My husband is out flying in this mess and I won't be getting and sleep till I hear from him. Stay safe
You too hon! Your husband is in my thoughts as well...
I couldn't believe they had a chopper up in OK City...
This is hitting WAY to close to home....
what if the dems had said no to cantor's demand? should there be a demand or it's my way or else nothing will happen before an AMERICAN in dare need is rescued? let it be my political gain because i initiated it in a very critical time of our brethrens need. can we really separate politics from reality?........uh. but we believe there is time for everything.
this could have been you. may the soul of the deceased rest in peace and the survivors, we pray with you.
The devastation in Joplin just leaves me speechless. My wife's' sister lives about 50 miles south of Joplin and are glad she is safe but now it looks like no one is.
We are scrapping up all we can from anybody we can to send to the Red Cross.
Hoping for the best.
Frank - your family is also in my thoughts & prayers...
I've already donated to the Red Cross & Salvation Army...
Politically this is an easy vote America. Our prayers are with our fellow citizens who are suffering by this severe weather damage.
ALERT!! The "Gross Odd People (GOP), and the "Really Not Competent" (RNC), are economically playing politics. With the needed funding for our fellow citizens suffering right now. "Crazy Cantor" is a traitor to our nation economically, and has a lack of humanity for his fellow citizens. "Crazy Cantor" is criminally ill, and now is proving to all of America that he has earned his nick name. "Crazy Cantor." He and his cronies are truely "Hoodlum's On The Hill!" Hey! Hey! Ho! Ho! The Party Of No has got to go! Getting ready to vote yet America? I hope so!
Ok.......Eric.....why were you so slow........were you afraid the funding for the devastation would come out of your pocket.......We have had enough of you so called congress people who say you are doing all this for "AMERICA'.....we are American's too. We are not ashamed to ask for help.
Good Lord, do you even read the drivel you write? You are just not very smart.
You might be the only person on these posts that makes Bev look smart
Alright guys, let's remember what this threads about. There are plenty of other threads where we can call each other names and spew our ideologies. Peace.
The $1 billion will be fully paid for by an offset. That offset is a $1 billion cut in a Department of Energy program called, "The Advanced Technology Vehicle Loan Program," which was in the stimulus package. It's a program both sides were willing to cut.
That bill "Advaned Technology Vehicle Loan' sounds like another ridiculous liberal waste of money.... diverting only $1 billion of it's funding won't scratch the surface of cost of the tornado's devastation.... they should have diverted it's full funding for the tornado victims relief fund!
I strongly encourage more people donate to the Red Cross' efforts in these devastated areas.... I know how difficult that is for most of the liberal bloggers at this site, who, like their politicians, prefer to use other peoples money, for any cause! Cmon folks show how much you really care about these victims of mother nature by digging in to your Own pocketbooks once in a while....!
miked-332794
The Advanced Technology Vehicle Loan Program is a $25 billion direct loan program funded by Congress in fall 2008 to provide debt capital to the U.S. automotive industry for the purpose of funding projects that help vehicles manufactured in the U.S. meet higher millage requirements and lessen U.S. dependence on foreign oil.
I suppose to you, saving the American automotive industry, and loaning money to them to develop energy-saving technology is a liberal program. Well, I agree with that, but not that these goals are a waste of money. Difference between you and me.
The oil companies do not want to see electric vehicles proliferate, but they are coming, there is no stopping that fact. The question is will the US and its workforce be a player are will they all be imports. The area in Mo. where the tornado hit votes almost exclusively republican but I believe Mo. has a Dem Governor, I am not surprised that Cantor would take this or any opportunity to protect big oil any way he can, even at the risk of funding for republican disaster victims. A lot of that money (ATVLP) is being applied for in Mo. and Kansas right in the vicinity of the Joplin area. Regular working folks all over America who have been voting republican are finding out the republican agenda has little regard for regular working folks. BTW if big government does not help these people who will? I have yet to see where corporate America has done anything chartiable to help any of the victims in any of the affected states. The only hope these people have is the Federal government, and the kindness of strangers.
Natural disasters leave those involed defenceless.....I know this first hand....Thank God for first responders.....Police, firemen, etc......or on the front lines immediately checking on buildings, cars etc. for those who might be hurt or dead......Moving people to safty...then they have to shut down the zone to prevent looting, etc.....Sorry Kirby that you felt the need to call me out......I will not be back to your exclusive club
Thankful Mom,
I believe Kirby was responding to Progressive.
I've read your posts, and you've voiced your opinion and talked about your kids in a way that touches many.
Prayers are with those effected by the devastation and destruction. We have family in Joplin we haven't been able to reach.
ThankfulMom - please continue to comment, I look forward to hearing your thoughts!
As for kirby, his comments only serve to prove that right wingers are incapable of empathy!
kirby in idaho
Good Lord, do you even read the drivel you write? You are just not very smart.
You might be the only person on these posts that makes Bev look smart
Kirby you might be the only person on these posts that makes me look like a gentleman.
Please keep posting 'Thankful Mom'... We need your voice!
I'm a mom, and was relieved to hear from my kids in the area. Kirby is a twit... Whey call them 'trolls' on the net.
Cantor just like a Republican, if its money to help the needy then it has to be paid for
If its Billions of tax cuts for the Rich or Billions for Big Oil no worry well just add it to the DEBT
What a hypocrite
Kathy Hochul wins! Now deal with it Republicans! Who are you going to blame? The mirror?
Tom, we all know that the GOP will somehow blame President Obama for THEIR failures!
Here's a GOP/TEA player saying "No" to a red state just because president Obama will tour and offer support and aid to this ravaged community. Kinda proves the mentality of the radical GOP/TEA party-ers!
Congratulations Congresswoman Hochul!
Good people of Va., vote Eric Cantor out of office and replace him with a democrat that takes people seriously. He and Boner make me sick.
"NO MORE BIG GOVERNMENT!" is yelled by the Republicans and Tea Partiers....that is until THEY need government aid or assistance.