Watson Coleman, Pallone, Kim Support Inclusion of Community Disaster Loan Cancellation in House Homeland Security Appropriations Bill
Amendment, offered by Watson Coleman, will allow community service providers to prioritize operations rather than repayment of emergency relief
Today, Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) Frank Pallone (NJ-06) and Andy Kim (NJ-03) applauded the inclusion of language in the Fiscal Year 2021 House Homeland Security Appropriations bill that would extend the opportunity for institutions that received Community Disaster Loans (CDLs) through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) following Superstorm Sandy to have those loans cancelled. The language would also extend cancellation to CDLs received in the current COVID-19 public health emergency.
“Like the assistance provided to individuals and families, the assistance that FEMA provides to schools, fire departments, and other community services is intended to keep these institutions running in difficult times. Communities should be able to focus on rebuilding and maintaining operations, not repaying federal emergency aid,” said Congresswoman Watson Coleman. “I am grateful to Congressmen Kim and Pallone for their work on this issue, and look forward to House passage of this important measure.”
“Communities in New Jersey should not have to choose between providing critical services during the coronavirus pandemic and weathering the enduring financial effects of Superstorm Sandy. We have an obligation to aid our municipalities who are facing budget shortfalls as they support New Jerseyans during the pandemic,” said Congressman Pallone. “My thanks goes to Congresswoman Watson Coleman and Congressman Kim whose leadership on this important issue will go a long way to make sure New Jersey has the resources it needs.”
“We have a choice; we can allow towns like Toms River and Berkeley Township to focus on recovery, or we can continue to force them to repay federal emergency aid during the biggest crisis in generations,” said Congressman Kim The stakes are too high for our communities for Congress to sit on the sidelines and do nothing. I’m grateful for the leadership of Congresswoman Watson Coleman and Chairman Pallone, and urge my colleagues to join us in passing this critical measure.”
For more information on the FY 2021 Homeland Security Appropriations bill, click here.