Watson Coleman, Pallone, Kim Applaud Fix to Sandy Relief Funds in House THUD Appropriations Bill
Amendment, offered by Watson Coleman, will ensure families don’t have to return relief funds
Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) Frank Pallone (NJ-06) and Andy Kim (NJ-03) issued the following statement after the House Appropriations Committee agreed to an amendment from Watson Coleman that would allow the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to waive recoupment of disaster relief provided to families after Superstorm Sandy. Families may qualify for waivers if the recipient has died, if they were defrauded, filed for bankruptcy or experienced foreclosure, or received assistance from multiple programs.
“The federal government stepped up to help families who lost homes and livelihoods in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. The resources provided went to New Jerseyans in a dark moment, and to try and snatch those dollars back now, almost a decade later when families have long-since spent them, when the home involved has been foreclosed upon, or when the family member who received them has passed away, does nothing but further harm,” said Congresswoman Watson Coleman. “My amendment fixes this, and I am grateful to see it included in the THUD bill as it heads to the floor of the House. I will continue to fight for this language as the Appropriations process continues.”
“Our communities and residents faced extraordinary financial strain as a result of Superstorm Sandy’s devastation, and we must do everything we can to help them,” Congressman Pallone said. “This financial relief would go a long way to help hardworking New Jersey families who are still recovering from Sandy. I want to thank Congresswoman Watson Coleman and Congressman Kim for their outstanding leadership on this important issue.”
“This is a major step forward in relieving the burden of millions in debt from our neighbors across New Jersey,” said Congressman Kim. “The time is now to forgive this financial burden and allow our community to focus on recovering from the ongoing crisis we’re facing right now. I want to thank Congresswoman Watson Coleman and Chairman Pallone and for their leadership and call on my colleagues to swiftly pass these important efforts.”
For more information on the FY 2021 THUD Appropriations bill, click here.