09.21.11

Hoeven: CDBG Disaster Measure Passes U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today said passage in the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee of a $400 million measure to fund Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) was vital and necessary to help the thousands of Americans working to recover from recent natural disasters, including residents of North Dakota. 

The measure passed out of appropriations today was introduced by Hoeven and Senator Roy Blunt of Missouri as an amendment to the Transportation Housing and Urban Development funding bill. 

“Today we took an important step forward,” Hoeven said. “I worked through the Appropriations Committee to get $400 million approved in CDBG funding, which goes directly to help with housing for people who have lost their homes. Still, there’s more to be done. Now we need to work to get approval of the full Senate and the House. As we continue to determine the impacts of disasters throughout the country, we’re going to work to get more CDBG funding, as well. We’re going to do all we can to help.” 

Senator Kent Conrad has been working with Senator Hoeven to secure additional disaster assistance funding for flood victims in North Dakota.  He urged the leaders of the Senate Appropriations Committee to look to the CDBG program as an effective way to provide additional funding for disaster recovery.  

“We’ve just had the worst flooding ever in Minot, North Dakota.  Most of the 4,000 families that were hit by the flood had 10 feet of water in their homes for weeks.  I've been there.  I've seen these homes.  I've smelled them.  The devastation is horrific.  These families need help, and they need it now," Senator Kent Conrad said.

“As a former governor, I know from experience the value of flexibility and first-hand knowledge in helping people recover from a severe disaster, and CDBG funding provides this flexibility to state and local authorities,” said Hoeven.