With the well-being of homeowners and small business at risk, we are seeing a misguided campaign to label the Sandy aid bill as “pork-filled” (“Boehner Sees the Light,” Editorial, Jan. 3).
In fact, Congress always funds several disasters in one bill, and every piece of this package is disaster-related.
Funding for fisheries across the country, for example, belongs in this package. There was a federally declared fisheries disaster in March, but because of Congressional wrangling on larger budget issues, no funding has yet been provided to devastated fishermen.
Critics have also labeled as “pork” any funds for mitigation. These are funds to raise storm-prone houses, protect the subway system from future floods and study the best way to fortify New York’s harbor and coastline, and have always been in disaster bills.
These items are not “pork.” They are necessary to protect our region and for disaster recovery. There are some who are opposed to the federal government providing disaster aid. They should simply come out and admit it instead of hiding behind falsehoods.
Sen. Charles
Schumer
Brooklyn