Good thing Kansas is safe from any more tornadoes, floods, droughts, and any other natural disasters of magnitude. KANSANS KNOW how important federal aid is in times of disaster. For Iola, it made the difference between a renovated south end of town to wiping it off the map, permanently.
Good thing, because right now our name is dirt thanks to our representatives in Congress who denied flood relief to victims of Hurricane Sandy.
In Friday’s vote, all four of our members of Congress — Lynn Jenkins, Mike Pompeo, Tim Huelskamp and Kevin Yoder — voted against a $9.7 billion package that would have covered flood insurance claims filed by those whose homes and businesses were deluged by the Oct. 29, 2012 hurricane.
The storm also took 71 lives, flooded seven subway tunnels, ignited 24 fires, left 8.5 million people without power and dropped 12.5 inches of rain.
Still today, many remain homeless, taking refuge in shelters.
In her weekly report to constituents, Jenkins did not mention the vote, which was passed overwhelmingly by the House on a vote of 354 in favor to 67 opposed. Kansas Senators Jerry Moran and Pat Roberts voted for the measure, which, too, passed overwhelmingly.
Kansas is the only state in the nation whose House delegation voted solidly against the aid aimed to boost flood insurance for the many homes inundated by the torrential seas and rainfall.
Montana, which is represented by one delegate, Republican Steve Daines, is the other state lined up against it.
The most likely defense by the Republican contingent is that the aid package did not include an offset in spending cuts to other programs.
In other words, it’s political. If I give, then I take, too.
Trouble is, Mother Nature doesn’t give a fig for such games.
Of everyone, Kansans know better than most the terrific toll storms can take and how federal aid has come to the rescue.
In 2007, we suffered a 100-year-flood that inundated more than 200 homes.
Within days, a FEMA headquarters was set up in St. John’s parish hall where federal funds were distributed to provide temporary lodging, rental assistance, housing repairs, compensation of personal property loss, medical costs, and low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters and businesses.
It was also from federal funds that most of the buildings in Riverside Park were salvaged, and in many cases, made better than before.
The Greensburg tornado also happened in May of 2007.
Between the floods and the tornado that year, Kansas received more than $58 million in federal assistance.
For Greensburg, federal funds have meant the town flat out exists.
In times of disaster, the bargaining inherent in politics needs to be put aside and our elected officials need to do what any of us would do — show some compassion.
Susan Lynn
