WASHINGTON (AP) — South Carolina’s congressional delegation is vowing to make sure the state gets federal help to recover from the historic flooding from massive rains.
But less than three years ago, the Republican-dominated, conservative delegation opposed a $51 billion relief bill to help mid-Atlantic states like New York and New Jersey rebuild in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, which dealt that region a devastating blow.
On Tuesday, Gov. Nikki Haley said that “we’re not going to stop” until the state gets “everything we need to get back up and running and fixed again.” Already, the state’s two GOP senators say they’ll support Haley, a fellow Republican, in obtaining recovery funding as estimates come in.
“The governor’s going to be making the request and we’ll certainly be there as part of the process,” said Sen. Tim Scott. “But the amount can’t be determined at this point.”
In January 2013, five Republicans in the House delegation voted against Sandy aid after the superstorm. So did Scott and GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham in a vote later that month.
In fact, just 49 of 232 House Republicans voted to provide the Sandy storm aid. Rep. Mick Mulvaney, R-S.C., offered an amendment to require that $17 billion worth of the package be offset by cuts elsewhere in the budget.
Rep. Jim Clyburn, a member of the House Democratic leadership team, supported the aid package.
In the wake of the South Carolina flooding, Republicans who opposed Sandy funding seem to be having a change of heart.
“Rep. Rice thinks we need to have a discussion about the role of the federal government in disaster relief,” said Alex Eline, a spokeswoman for Rep. Tom Rice, R-S.C. “That being said, to the extent that we have damages in South Carolina, we are covered by law and he believes we need to get the full benefit of that. We will seek funds necessary to cover the needs of our district as a result of this catastrophe.”
There is almost $6 billion in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster relief fund for immediate needs.
“There will be a time for a discussion about aid and how to pay for it, but that time is not now,” Mulvaney said. “The danger is still real, and it is immediate. Keeping folks safe is the priority right now.”
But more money is likely to be required. Big flood disasters like Sandy and Hurricane Katrina usually generate far greater damage than other disasters.
The Sandy aid bill had a relatively difficult path through Congress. It advanced in the wake of the 2012 election that gave President Barack Obama his second term and as Obama was using leverage over Republicans to muscle through a tax increase on upper income earners. Some Republicans said Obama’s performance after the storm and praise from Republicans such as New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie helped Obama seal his re-election.
The Sandy aid bill moved through with support of Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and then-Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., the leading candidate to replace Boehner when he steps down at the end of the month. The other announced candidates for leadership posts opposed the Sandy measure.
“There is a reason we call this the United States of America and that’s because we’d respond to any fellow Americans who find themselves in the midst of tragedy as we see in South Carolina,” Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., said Tuesday.
“That’s why I keep reminding my colleagues ‘there but for the grace of God, go I.’ It can happen to you next.”
