Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Ted Cruz Demands Federal Money For Texas Floods After Blocking Hurricane Sandy Relief

From earlier in the year, but still apropos.
See below for report on federal disaster relief approved for the current flooding and other weather disasters in Texas.

Typical Republican. Usually I would specify "Republican politician", but my observation is that this kind of thing is typical of Republican voters, too. Eg., older ones say we should have Social Security and Medicare for the elderly, but not food stamps for children.



By: Jason Easley more from Jason Easley
Wednesday, May, 27th, 2015

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), who called federal disaster relief for Hurricane Sandy victims wasteful is now hypocritically demanding that the federal government fulfill its obligation and provide disaster relief to Texas.


During a press conference on the deadly flooding in Texas, Cruz said, “The federal government’s role, once the Governor declares a disaster area and makes a request, I am confident that the Texas congressional delegation, Sen. Cornyn and I, and the members of Congress both Republicans and Democrats will stand united as Texans in support of the federal government fulfilling its statutory obligations, and stepping in to respond to this natural disaster.

Sen. Cruz sang a completely different tune in 2013 when he called federal aid for the victims of Hurricane Sandy wasteful:

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Cruz’s claim that the Sandy relief bill was wasteful was debunked by PolitiFact, “A big portion of the $17 billion in “immediate” assistance, more than $5 billion, went to replenish FEMA’s disaster relief fund, which may fund relief from future disasters.”

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The great irony of the whole Sandy bill fiasco was that the pork came from Republicans like Cruz, who demanded to be paid off to support disaster relief. According to Forbes, “However, as it turns out, the pork portions of the Senate bill were not earmarked to benefit Democratic members of the upper chamber of Congress… The answer can be found in a quick review of the states that are set to benefit from the Senate’s extra-special benevolence—states including Alabama, Mississippi, Texas and Louisiana.”

That would be the same group of Texas Republicans who are now demanding federal disaster relief be immediately sent to their state.

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Ted Cruz’s position is clear. Disaster relief is only vital when it is for his state. Red state need is the only real need that counts. Sen. Cruz is demanding disaster relief for Texas. If there were any justice, he would be forced to wait just like he made the people impacted by Hurricane Sandy suffer, but since Democrats have compassion for all Americans in need, Texas will be given a luxury that wasn’t offered to the victims of Sandy.


http://www.statesman.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/federal-authorities-approve-disaster-relief-funds-/nprJh/

Federal authorities approve disaster relief funds for Texas counties

Dec. 24, 2015

Federal authorities on Thursday approved Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s request for disaster relief funds for 16 counties affected by severe weather earlier this year.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency granted public assistance for these 11 counties that received individual assistance in a disaster declaration on Nov. 24: Bastrop, Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe, Hays, Hidalgo, Liberty, Navarro, Travis, Willacy and Wilson. Public assistance was also granted for five more counties: Bosque, Hill, Jasper, Newton and Walker.

“I want to thank FEMA for their prompt response to Texas’ request for public assistance,” Abbott said in a statement. “Texas is working with our partners at FEMA to ensure that all Texans receive the assistance they need to continue to rebuild their lives following the devastating floods earlier this year.”

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