The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

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June 12, 2011

Susan Redden: Disaster funding bill faces hurdles

By Susan Redden Globe Staff Writer

JOPLIN, Mo. — A measure containing $1 billion in federal funds for disaster relief in Joplin and elsewhere is, in its current incarnation at least, being pitted against a program to encourage clean car technology.

The funding bill for Joplin and other communities struck by recent disasters has been passed by the U.S. House but must be reconciled in the Senate before it can be signed into law.

U.S. Rep. Billy Long, who represents Southwest Missouri, was among Republican representatives from Missouri voting in favor of the measure, which passed June 2 on a 231-188 vote.

The $1 billion would come via the Fiscal 2012 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill, and the debate is courtesy of an amendment by U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Ala.

The measure was passed largely along party lines. In the Missouri delegation, GOP Reps. Long, Vicky Hartzler, Todd Akin, Jo Ann Emerson, Sam Graves and Blaine Luetkemeyer voted in favor, and Democrats Russ Carnahan, Emanuel Cleaver and William Lacy Clay voted “no.”

Democrats opposed the measure because the $1 billion to help Joplin and other communities hurt by flooding and other disasters was offset by $1.5 billion in cuts from an Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program at the Department of Energy.

Carnahan said the discussion about cutting funding for clean energy versus cutting subsidies for big oil companies “is a debate that should be left in Washington and not put on the backs of the people in Joplin.”

Long called the DOE program “under-performing,” noting that it was first funded in 2009 and that about $4.2 billion remains unused from the $7.5 billion appropriated.

“While we need to look everywhere to make spending cuts, making sure our first responder, disaster relief and national defense communities have the tools they need always will be a priority while I’m in Congress,” Long said.

Democrats, who hold the majority in the Senate, have criticized the GOP for arguing that additional disaster aid must be offset by spending cuts in other areas.

U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., called the funding proposal “an important step to mitigate the costs of some of the recent disasters in Missouri and to help restore the homes, businesses and livelihoods that have been impacted by these damages.”

Blunt said the nation “must prioritize spending, and rebuilding our communities after unprecedented disasters like this should be a top priority.”

In a speech to the Senate on Thursday, Blunt recounted a trip to Joplin the Tuesday after the May 22 tornado when he was driven around town by a longtime Joplin Police Department sergeant. He noted that he had an office in Joplin, which was part of his district during the 14 years he was the 7th District congressman.

Blunt said there were many times during the tour that neither he nor the police officer could recognize the location.

“The devastation was so bad, everything looked the same,” he said.

Blunt said what happened in Joplin “truly is a disaster,” and that the government should give the Joplin area and supporting agencies the same sort of funding support that was received after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

“Moving forward, I believe we need to plan ahead and set aside funding for future emergencies,” he said.

U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., also came to Joplin in the wake of the tornado. She said she will work to make sure the area gets the funding it needs.

“While the people in Joplin work to rebuild and recover, they should be assured that the government will keep its promise and make sure they have the resources they need to rebuild,” McCaskill said. “That is a promise I will fight to keep.”

Susan Redden is a staff writer for the Globe. She can be reached at sredden@joplinglobe.com or 417-623-3480, ext. 7258.

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