By Laura DeKoven Waxman
December 17, 2012

In December 7 letters to the Speaker of the House and Majority Leader of the Senate, Office of Management and Budget Deputy Director for Management Jeffrey Zients requested $60.4 billion in supplemental federal funds to support response, recovery and mitigation related to Hurricane Sandy damage in all affected states. The funds are to be used to repair damage to homes and public infrastructure and to help affected communities prepare for future storms. Included in this are $17 billion in Community Development Block funds – $15 billion to meet disaster recovery needs and $2 billion for mitigation projects to reduce future risks and vulnerabilities.

That same day, the President issued an Executive Order establishing the Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force to provide coordination needed to support rebuilding objectives. The Task Force is expected to identify opportunities for achieving rebuilding success, “consistent with the National Disaster Recovery Framework’s commitment to support economic vitality, enhance public health and safety, protect and enhance natural and manmade infrastructure, and ensure appropriate accountability.” It is expected to “work to ensure that the federal government continues to provide appropriate resources to support affected state, local, and tribal communities to improve the region’s resilience, health, and prosperity by building for the future.” The Task Force is charged with developing a Hurricane Sandy rebuilding strategy within 180 days of its first meeting.

The Task Force is chaired by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan and includes leaders from numerous federal departments and agencies including Treasury, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, Health and Human Services, Transportation, Energy, Education, Veterans Affairs, Homeland Security, Environmental Protection, and Small Business. The Chair is empowered to establish an advisory group to the Task Force, which could include mayors, county executives, governors, and other state, local and tribal officials.

Senate Appropriations Committee Releases $60.4 Billion Supplemental

The Senate Appropriations Committee released its proposed $60.4 billion supplemental December 12. It may be considered on the Senate floor during the week of December 17. While the total amount is the same as that of the Administration’s request, there are differences in some programs. The table shows proposed funding levels in millions of dollars for key programs.