Q: What disaster aid is on the way for Iowa?
A: In an extremely welcome boost to Iowans who have been hurting since the disasters, nearly $23 billion in disaster aid for disasters across the nation has been included in a package of defense, veterans and homeland security appropriations and a continuing funding measure. This is in addition to the $2.65 billion in disaster aid that Congress passed soon after Iowa was hit by flood waters in June. A share of the approximately $23 billion will go to Iowa and other Midwestern states hit by floods. The funding will be allocated proportionally based on the amount of damage that was incurred by each state. The bill includes $6.5 billion for Community Development Block Grants which have the flexibility to be used for home repairs, buyouts, assistance to businesses, repair of damaged facilities, and mitigation efforts to reduce damage from future disasters and economic revitalization. To help alleviate some of the waiting for funds because of bureaucratic hand-wringing, the Housing and Urban Development Secretary will also be required to allocate at least one-third of the funding within 60 days of enactment based on the best estimates available at the time. The bill also includes $7.9 billion for FEMA Disaster Relief to help pay individuals affected by the disasters nationally, $182 million for construction of the new Cedar Rapids Courthouse that was damaged by flooding and $600 million for the Social Services Block Grant Program to help provide urgently needed services including food, shelter, clothing, health care and mental health services to people living in states hit by disasters. In addition, funding will go to programs within the Department of Agriculture and the Army Corps of Engineers.
Q: What took so long to get the help?
A: Unlike what happened during Hurricane Katrina, pictures of Iowans on rooftops needing dramatic rescues weren't on national television for two or three months after the floods. While I was working hard to get the message out that Iowans needed help, some legislators had the gall to tell me that Iowa's disaster wasn't really a major catastrophe. Nothing could have been further from the truth. Iowans shouldn't be penalized for doing their best to prevent what damage they could before disaster hit and for pulling up their bootstraps and getting to work on recovery after the damage was done. When New York City or New Orleans were in trouble, we helped them right away. Iowans expected to be treated the same, but instead of help after three weeks, sadly it ended up taking three months. It's a complete injustice, but late help is better than none at all. This disaster funding will help Iowans get their day to day lives back on track.