NRDC: Sandy Relief Helps Victims Recover, But Also Impedes Protection of Oceans and Lands

WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–January 29, 2013 – The U.S. Senate yesterday approved a $50 billion Hurricane Sandy relief bill already passed by the U.S. House, sending the measure to the President for his signature.

Scott Slesinger, legislative director for the Natural Resources Defense Council, issued this statement:

“This bill will help tens of thousands of Americans recover from Hurricane Sandy, and it will allow communities to start working to prevent damage from future storms, which sadly are sure to come until we reduce the threat of climate change.  Unfortunately, after delaying action, House Republicans included amendments to this bill that impede the protection of our oceans and lands.  Given the pressing needs of Sandy’s victims, the Senate needed to send this relief package to the President right now.  But in the future, the Senate should undo the legislative hostage-taking that the House Republicans perpetrated, in what should have been a clean bill, to alleviate suffering, restore our coasts, and protect communities.”

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 1.3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world’s natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Livingston, Montana, and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.