The Star’s editorial | Inexcusable bickering over disaster funds - KansasCity.com

The Star’s editorial | Inexcusable bickering over disaster funds - KansasCity.com

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The Star’s editorial | Inexcusable bickering over disaster funds
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Only a few short months ago, Joplin was the place for promises. Everyone from President Barack Obama to FEMA bureaucrats pledged to help the tornado-ravaged city rebuild.

But now Irene is the cause of the moment. Even though the storm inflicted less damage than feared, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is planning to divert money intended for tornado repairs in Joplin and elsewhere to pay for cleanup on the East Coast.

That is simply wrong. A basic expectation of government is to help communities and households get back on their feet after natural disasters. That expectation must not be waived because Republicans in Congress refuse to budge on closing tax loopholes or asking more of the very wealthy or any of the measures proposed to bring revenue into the U.S. coffers.

FEMA officials have said the agency is suspending payments to rebuild roads, schools and other crucial projects in Joplin and other areas impacted by spring tornadoes. FEMA has less than $1 billion in disaster relief funds. The Irene cleanup cost alone could exceed $10 billion.

In Washington, the disaster looks likely to set off another round of unseemly bickering, as House Majority Leader Eric Cantor and some other Republicans have signaled that new money for FEMA disaster assistance must be offset by spending cuts elsewhere.
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