Eric Cantor Pressed FEMA About Aid For His District As Agency Struggled For Funding

[Derechos]

WASHINGTON -- Federal Emergency Management Agency officials have been busy convincing Congress to quickly fill its emergency aid coffers, as the agency finds its funds drained by the natural disasters that have hit the country in recent months. The insistence, led by House Minority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.), that Congress should cut spending elsewhere to offset disaster relief funding, led to a partisan standoff and nearly shut down the government.

On Friday, however, FEMA officials found themselves busy answering to Cantor for another reason: He had requested a conference call to get updates on the disbursement of aid requested by Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) for his district, which was affected by the Aug. 23 East Coast earthquake.

According to a read-out of the call from Cantor's office, as reported by the Richmond Times-Dispatch, "FEMA said they have received the Governor's request and sent it to the White House for a decision but could not provide any specific information on timing. Even when asked for an estimate based on past applications they were unable to do so."

A FEMA spokesperson confirmed that the call happened on Friday, and said Cantor's office had requested it on Sept. 22.

Cantor also called Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, "asking for additional information and a better sense of timing," according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/27/eric-cantor-fema-disaster-aid-funding_n_983579.html

[benld74]

1. Take a number Cantor, whatever it is, you will be last in line