Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Bob Menendez
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-NJ) applauded the allocation of $228.3 million in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funds to New Jersey to help the state further recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Ida. Congress appropriated this funding in the continuing resolution passed September 30, 2021, and last month Sens. Menendez, Booker and 10 other members of the New Jersey Congressional delegation sent a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to expeditiously provide necessary data to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for these funds to be released.
“I’m glad the Biden Administration has finally allocated these important federal funds approved by Congress last September to strengthen New Jersey’s recovery efforts from Hurricane Ida and to help prepare to for future climate related events by improving the state’s resiliency,” said Sen. Menendez. “This $228 million infusion of federal funds will help New Jersey in the long-term recovery of a deadly storm that took the lives of thirty New Jerseyans and provide the much needed investment in infrastructure and housing in the most impacted communities.”
“Last September, the remnants of Hurricane Ida caused historic flooding and rainfall as well as widespread devastation to communities across New Jersey,” said Sen. Booker. “Since then, I have worked with colleagues to make sure our state receives the resources it needs to advance recovery efforts, including urging FEMA to quickly provide necessary information to accelerate the allocation of federal funding. I am encouraged to see these funds finally being released and know that they will make a significant impact for communities that are still recovering from last year’s deadly storm.”
In the days after Hurricane Ida struck New Jersey, Sens. Menendez and Booker worked with the Biden Administration to declare a Major Disaster Declaration for counties in the state, making them eligible for more federal resources. He has also introduced bipartisan legislation that will help communities better prepare for extreme weather and flooding events.
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