Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bill Flores (R-Texas), along with a substantial bipartisan majority of the Texas Congressional Delegation, including U.S. Senators Cornyn and Cruz, sent a letter to President Obama urging him to support Texas Governor Rick Perry’s major disaster declaration appeal for West, Texas.
“The city of West has been through so much since the tragic explosion in April, which injured hundreds, took 15 lives and caused tens of millions of dollars in damage. The state of Texas and the entire West community have been working tirelessly to rebuild and recover with available resources,” Flores said. “Today, the Texas delegation came together to encourage President Obama to provide the support that the community is entitled to under provisions of the Stafford Act.”
On June 10, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) denied Governor Perry’s request for Public Assistance and stated that disaster declaration was not necessary. Since that time the Governor’s office has diligently been working to put together the reports that show the damages incurred meet the threshold for additional federal assistance. On Tuesday, the Governor sent an official appeal to the president asking for reconsideration and outlining the major issues that the community continues to face. Congressman Flores rallied the Texas delegation to sign onto a letter urging the president to give the appeal his full consideration.
“During the memorial service for the first responders killed in the line of duty, President Obama himself said ‘your country will remain ever ready to help you recover, and rebuild, and reclaim your community’. Following that service, Governor Perry, Senator Cruz and I met backstage with the president, and he again assured us that the federal government would help West rebuild. It is our hope that the president will honor his commitment. I am proud and thankful that my fellow Texas colleagues came together and showed their true Texas spirit to help a community in need,” stated Flores.
The 35 members of the Texas Congressional Delegation joining Congressman Flores in sending the letter to President Obama include: Senator John Cornyn, Senator Ted Cruz, Congressman Joe Barton, Congressman Kevin Brady, Congressman Michael Burgess, Congressman John Carter, Congressman Joaquin Castro, Congressman Michael Conaway, Congressman Henry Cuellar, Congressman John Culberson, Congressman Blake Farenthold, Congressman Pete Gallego, Congressman Louie Gohmert, Congresswoman Kay Granger, Congressman Al Green, Congressman Gene Green, Congressman Ralph Hall, Congressman Jeb Hensarling, Congressman Ruben Hinojosa, Congressman Sam Johnson, Congresswoman Shelia Jackson-Lee, Congressman Kenny Marchant, Congressman Michael McCaul, Congressman Randy Neugebauer, Congressman Beto O’Rourke, Congressman Pete Olson, Congressman Ted Poe, Congressman Pete Sessions, Congressman Lamar Smith, Congressman Steve Stockman, Congressman Mac Thornberry, Congressman Marc Veasey, Congressman Filemon Vela, Congressman Randy Weber, and Congressman Roger Williams.
A copy of the letter sent to the president can be found at Flores.house.gov/uploads/West_Appeal_Ltr.pdf
Congressman Bill Flores represents the 17th District of Texas and is an entrepreneur, former energy executive, Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and member of the House Budget, Natural Resources and Veterans’ Affairs Committees.
