Welch Statement on Vermont Disaster Relief

Statement

Rep. Peter Welch issued the below statement following the announcement that House and Senate negotiators have agreed to provide much-needed disaster assistance for Vermont to repair roads and bridges destroyed by Tropical Storm Irene.

"This is outstanding news. Vermonters have never complained about their tax dollars going to help others in the country caught up in a natural disaster, whether it be a hurricane on the Gulf Coast, tornadoes in the Midwest, or flooding along the Mississippi River.

"This time, Vermonters are in need. Across the state, we are working together to help ourselves, but we can't do it alone. Today's news means Vermont will get a much-needed helping hand from the rest of the country.

"I am grateful that House Republican and Democratic leaders alike listened carefully and responded to the needs of Vermont -- proving that Congress can, in fact, work together to get the job done. My hope is that the efforts of the bipartisan Hurricane Irene Coalition will serve as a model for how we can accomplish difficult tasks in the future.

"I deeply appreciate the support of Speaker Boehner, Majority Leader Cantor, Majority Whip McCarthy, Minority Leader Pelosi, Minority Whip Hoyer, and members of the House Appropriations Committee for their support. They are operating in an extraordinarily difficult budget environment. This could not have been done without their help."

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