Sixteen years after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. sponsored the first federal monies to restore homes damaged by natural disasters.
Biden testified in support of the Build Back Better Act. Then-Senator Joe Biden authored the original legislation and the current version will help 100,000 families, 125,000 smaller businesses and 60,000 non-profits.
BUILD BACK BETTER NOW makes it possible for the federal government to expand rental housing, loans, low-interest loans, cost-share, Community Development Block Grants and general economic development assistance to rebuild homeowners’ homes as they repair and rebuild their communities.
Conyers explained that 100,000 families will receive rental help. Some will be able to receive private loans and down-payment assistance from the Community Development Block Grant.
His Neighbor Works Hub initiative will offer technical assistance.
LONG BROTHERS AGENCY, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2017, 11:00 A.M.
(At the Dirksen House Office Building Press Gallery)
Chairman Conyers and Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), Chairman Emeritus of the House Judiciary Committee, released the following statement regarding the House passage of Build Back Better, The Build Back Program After Hurricane Sandy. The legislation would provide continued state, local and charitable support to hurricane-ravaged coastal communities and FEMA disaster housing programs.
“In 18 short years, Congress has identified, implemented and significantly improved 75 disaster recovery programs totaling over $240 billion in appropriated funds and the Budget Control Act has expanded spending on the Superfund hazardous waste cleanup program by $67 billion.”
“As Speaker Paul Ryan said when he led the House Armed Services Committee before the December vote on a budget agreement, ‘We’ve committed this Congress and this nation to continue working to make it better all the time.’ The Build Back Program After Hurricane Sandy (Build Back) Act builds upon that principle to continue helping those communities so badly hurt by disasters like Hurricanes Sandy and Harvey and the wildfires from northern California to the Pacific Northwest. It makes the basic commitment of affordable rental housing, low-interest loans, cost-share, Community Development Block Grants and general economic development assistance to rebuild homes as they repair and rebuild their communities.”
“President Trump signed the Budget Control Act on December 22, 2015. That bill committed this Congress and this nation to continue working to make it better all the time.”
“The Build Back Program Act is a high-priority piece of legislation because it builds on already significant steps and successes we have made to aid survivors in times of disaster.”
“This legislation will help communities get back on their feet without having to wait for money to be appropriated or even approved by Congress, thus making a critical difference.”