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Congressmembers Urge State To Spend Flood Aid Quickly

U.S Senator David Vitter
Cassidy and Graves discuss flood aid with SBA

The Restore Louisiana Commission second meeting began with some good news about federal flood aid.

We’ve gotten about $438-million dollars in the initial down payment,” U.S Senator Bill Cassidy told the group charged with coordinating flood recovery spending.

Cassidy and Congressman Garret Graves – both Republicans – had some inconservative advice for the group. They urged Restore LA to spend the money – fast.

I just want to urge that as quickly as possible, you get a plan together where we can get this money out the door,” Graves said.

Director of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Johnny Bradberry was worried that the latest disaster, Hurricane Matthew, will eclipse out state's need for another $2.5-billion in federal flood aid.

How does it make it more difficult for us to receive this two and a half billion more dollars that we’re asking for, as relates to the damage that’s been caused on the East Coast by Matthew?” Bradberry asked.

Anytime you create more sympathy for people who are hurting, that helps,” Cassidy replied. “And there will be folks who will vote for a new disaster relief package -- because of Matthew – that may not have voted for disaster relief just because of the Louisiana floods.”

Bradberry then turned to Graves.

How confident do you and the delegation feel about having success there?” he asked the 6th District congressman.

It’s gonna probably be much better for our negotiations holistically if we’ve got a plan submitted, very clear on how these dollars are gonna be spent,” Graves said, referring to the initial grant of flood aid. “Because if we’re gonna go back and go advocate to other members of Congress about this urgent need that we have in Louisiana, yet we haven’t spent the funds that have been provided to date, it’s gonna, I think, undermine our argument to some degree.”

Unfortunately, there's a problem with the state getting its plan together. Restore LA can't make any decisions on how to spend the money until the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – which is providing this aid – publishes its rules governing the use of the money