Coming here. Come in here. All right. Right here. Thank you, john. Thank you. Okay. Here we go. Which one . There you go. All right. Thank you. All right. What can down here. Left hand down here. Oh, perfect. How are you . Thank you. [laughter] oh, my goodness. [laughter] [indistinct conversations] how are you . Hi. The house of representatives and the 113th congress is made about 230 to republicans 233 republicans and 200 democrats. A vacancy for republican representative tim scott. The house returns on monday, january 14, at 2 00 p. M. The House Speaker john boehner has pledged to bring out the remainder of the sandy relief package. Next return to the opening day ceremonies in the u. S. Senate. First with the return of senator mark kirk after he suffered a stroke in early 2011, followed by Vice President joe biden holding a ceremonial swearingin with returning and the newly elected senators. Illinois senator mark kirk returning to the senate for the First Time Since suffering a stroke in early 2011. It left one side of this body mostly paralyzed. He was greeted by vicepresident joe biden, illinois senator dick durbin, and senator joe manchin. Members of the house stood nearby. [laughter] thank you. [indistinct conversations] hi guys, how are you . And you have got all day, pal. [applause] are you kidding me . I am as happy as could be to be here, man. [indiscernible] [laughter] cmon. [indiscernible] [applause] [applause] [indiscernible] [cheers and applause] good. [laughter] [inaudible] [indistinct conversations] lets go to work, you guys. [cheers] yay, mark. [applause] lets go. [laughter] cmon. [applause] [indistinct conversations] almost there. Almost there. [laughter] [applause] [cheers] [cheers and applause] go, mark. [applause] [indistinct conversations] now vicepresident joe biden holding a ceremonial swearingin of returning members to the u. S. Senate. Please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you god . I do. Ndistinct conversations congratulations, senator. [indistinct conversations] [laughter] okay. [indistinct conversations] will you pull that back a little bit . You have to pull back so we can see the most important part of this team. Please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you god . I do. [indistinct conversations] thank you will. You. What is your name . How are you . Good to see you. How are you . How are you, man . Good to see you. Gather rounaround. [indistinct conversations] your most important job, that is what i keep telling my grandkids. [indistinct conversations] [laughter] good to see you. Good to see you. Congratulations. Stand on this one . Okay. Please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you god . I do. Congratulations. Good to have you back. How are you . [indistinct conversations] nice to see you. Nice to see you. Good to see you. [indistinct conversations] [laughter] it is great to see you. Okay. [laughter] step back just a little bit that way. Can we get everybody . Everybody look right here in me. At me. It one more. One more. Thank you. Thank you. Nice to meet you. [indistinct conversations] good to see you, man. [laughter] you look like your dad. Are you kidding me . Senator, come forward just a little bit. [laughter] please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you god . I do. Congratulations. [indistinct conversations] [laughter] how are you . We went to school together. Of this is the Vice President of United States. Holder you . Holder you, 17 how old are you . How old are you, 17 . Cmon, lets get a picture. Right here. Good to see you. [indistinct conversations] [laughter] , over here, let me give you the bible. Please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you god . I do. Congratulations. Good to see you again. Okay. Take care, will you . [indistinct conversations] good to see you, man. Hey, how are you . How are you . Welcome back. Please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you god . I do. I am looking forward to working with you, bob. Nice to see you, man. Thank you. Thank you bring much. Very much. I remember. I remember, man. Is roasted well here . Tidwell here . Well hrose twidwl she is not. Okay. How old are you, 15 . Please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you god . I do. Congratulations. [indistinct conversations] this is my niece. Hi, whats your name . Youve got a smile the lights of the room. Up the room. Good to see. See you. Good tos ee yo see you guys. Im going to slide behind the women here. Can we get some people in front . Bera go. There we go. Nice to see you guys. [laughter] [indistinct conversations] right there. Please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you god . I do. You are the best, buddy. My granddaughter. How old are you . [inaudible] [laughter] honey, how are you . Good to see you. Beautiful smile. Hey, howre you, buddy . Good to see you. [indistinct conversations] how are you . Good to see you. All right,k man. All right, man. Thank you. Thank you. [indistinct conversations] [laughter] thank you and congratulations. Happy birthday. Please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you god . I do. Glad your back. You are back. Happy birthday. [indistinct conversations] [laughter] please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you god . I do. Okay. [indistinct conversations] [laughter] take, charlie. Hey, charlie. How are you . Good to see you. Are you with the woman there . Bob, how are you . Okay. [indistinct conversations] just a little bit back. Perfect. Thank you. [indistinct conversations] [laughter] good to see you. [laughter] thank you. Please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you god . I do. [indistinct conversations] [laughter] thank you so much. These are six of our seven children. This is my son, ben. And josephs son, carl. Good to see you. Did you have a big fence around the house, with machine guns . Here we go. Thank you. Youve got one tough lady. [laughter] [indistinct conversations] amy. Hello. How are you . Hey, man, great to see you. Put your left hand on the bible. Please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you god . I do. I am so happy your back. Youre back. Congratulations. [indistinct conversations] [laughter] hey, jack. As they say, you have done good, boy. Great to see you. [indistinct conversations] we have got us all here. Thank you. Thank you, and congratulations. [indistinct conversations] thank you, man. [indistinct conversations] i am sure she will say the same thing. Elizabeth, stand here. Put your left hand on the bible. Please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you god . I do. Congratulations. I look forward to working with you. Anyone else . One more. Here we go. Thank you. Thank you. Good luck. [indistinct conversations] good to see you. Quite a busy time for you. But a left hand on the bible. Put your left hand on the bible. Watch this here. One small slip of the thumb. Please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you god . I do. Congratulations. Congratulations. Thank you very much. How are you . How are you . Kohl of got a smile the lights of the whole chamber. You have got a smile that lights up the whole chamber. Hey, how are you . Im joe biden. [indistinct conversations] [laughter] hello. Good to see you. How are you . [indistinct conversations] [laughter] [indistinct conversations] [laughter] its fine. You are good. [indistinct conversations] [laughter] will you take a picture of this . [laughter] i am 90 years old. 20 years from now when i show my kids this picture, you have to sign it. [laughter] [applause] [indistinct conversations] good to see you guys. Nice to see you. Good to see you, man. Thank you. Thank you. [indistinct conversations] [laughter] put your left hand on the bible. [indistinct conversations] please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you god . Vicepresident , i do. Thank you. How are you guys . Good to see you. Thank you. Thank you. [indistinct conversations] [laughter] thank you. [indistinct conversations] please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you god . I do. Congratulations. Where is henry . This is henry. How are you . How old are you . Come on, lets tdo this. Will you hold it for your mommy . Ready . Please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you god . I do. [laughter] i tell you what, man, enjoy it. Look over here. One, two, ready, go. Thank you. Okay. [indistinct conversations] thank you. [indistinct conversations] hey, man. You stand outside of dead. Dad. Put your left hand on the bible. Please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you god . I do. Congratulations. [indistinct conversations] [laughter] good to see you, pal. [laughter] were going to stand you right in the middle. I am going to stand here. I you ready . Are you ready . Please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you god . I do. I have no doubt about it. [indistinct conversations] [laughter] how are you . [laughter] youre going to stand right there. Please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you god . Please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you i do. Hi, honey. How are you . Good to see you. Okay. Let me stand in the middle. Right there. All right. Everybody asked why i moved from scranton. I knew only one of us was going to make it out, and it was not going to be me. I had to get out of town and find a venue. [laughter] [indistinct conversations] [laughter] i will see you guys. Thank you. [indistinct conversations] that was wonderful. Anyone else want to be sworn in as a senator today . [indistinct conversations] now the ceremonial swearing in of newly elected members to the u. S. Senate. Please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you god . I do. Congratulations. [indistinct conversations] this is my mother. Hey, mom. How are you . [indistinct conversations] [laughter] you should be so incredibly proud. The way i would do the picture is with mom in the middle. Were going to do a picture like this, okay . You stay right there, mom. [indistinct conversations] how are you . Pleasure to meet you. Hey, guys. Welcome. Hey susan, how are you . Good to see you, man. You come over to this side. Whats your name . [indistinct conversations] give us a heads up, guys. [indistinct conversations] [laughter] bring this right up here . Mom, thank you. There you go. Thanks again. Back that up. All right. This next guy [indiscernible] [laughter] [indistinct conversations] please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you god . I do. Hi, how are you . How are you doing . Hey mike, how are you . You married up, son. [indistinct conversations] an estimated. Nice to meet you. [laughter] this is my sister. Hi, sis, how are you . [indistinct conversations] come on, sis, get in here. Okay. I look forward to working with you, pal, i really do. [indistinct conversations] [laughter] thank you. Thank you. Nice to see you, pal. Hey, how are you . Good to see you. Your leftng to put hand on the bible here. Please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you god . I do. Congratulations. Congratulations. [indistinct conversations] [laughter] [indistinct conversations] clucks all right. Keep the faith. All right. Get in close. Thank you. Thank you. Great to see you. Sharon . Nice to meet you, pal. [laughter] hey. How are you . Great to see you. Left hand on the bible. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you god . I do. How are you . great to see you. We know one another. [laughter] hey. Good to see you. My folks live in kansas city. I remember. Real simple. Thats there are mothers, something else, and then mothers. [indistinct conversations] [laughter] how many times have we run into each other . More than hed like to count. Great job. [indistinct conversations] hey, dan. This is my one year old. How are you . Hey, handsome. Good to see you. How old are you . 14 . Four. Ini knew there was a four there. Mom, hold this right there. Ready . Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you god . I do. [laughter] any other family . My mother, kathy. You look like his sister. [indistinct conversations] thank you. [indistinct conversations] hey, how are you . Youre up. Congratulations, man. Stand right there for us. Youre going to hold the bible. Left hand on the bible, raise your right. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you god . I do. Congratulations. Mom, you come by me. Whats your name . Tanner. Austin, how are you . Good to see you. Hey, how are you . [indistinct conversations] ok, ready . [laughter] thank you so much. Jeff, congratulations. Best wishes. My wife, heidi. Hi. How are you . Are you fifteen . How old are you . Four and a half, almost five. I love it. Left hand on the bible. Ok . Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you god . I do. And gratulations, senator. I hope you enjoyed it as much as i do here. Congratulations, senator. Know. S a democrat, i but its ok. [laughter] congratulations. Thank you, sir. This is my mother. Pay, mom. How are you . Review live . Florida. [indistinct conversations] did to see you. Do you want to stand . Yes. You just and right there, mom. We will come around you. Hello. How are you. Joe biden. Hello, sister. Good to see you. Mist to see you. Welcome. How are you . Ok. One more with my parents . To stand there in the middle. [laughter] do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you god . I do. Great to see you. All right. Let yout tell him i sit on the table. Never happened. Congratulation. Enjoy the day. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for coming. You stand there in the middle. All right. Please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you god . I do. Thank you. Thank you. Ok, nathan. Next to me. Hey. How are you . You were. Ill be darned. Mom, if you would mind holding the bible again . Were going to reenact this. You ready . Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you god . I do. Congratulation. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you god . I do. Congratulations. This is morgan. How you doing, pal . Other side. All right. Here we go. Ok. Thank you so much. Which way . That way. David . Thank you. A pleasure. Raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you god . I do. Welcome. Welcome. How are you . This is my husband. Congratulations. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you god . I do. Welcome. Welcome. They all came from hawaii. They need to be in this picture. Take your time. Theyre coming. Come on, everybody. Exactly right. Thank you. Mom, welcome. Mom, right in the middle. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that you will support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that you take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that you will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you god . I do. [indistinct conversations], congratulations, senator. Do you have any family here . Yes. Hey, man. This guy looks like he still plays linebacker. You need any help with your pecs, you let me know. Here we go. 396 is a big boy. 4. 4 40, right . [laughter] all right. Thats it. Thanks for your patience. See you later. See you, guys. [captioning performed by national captioning institute] [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2013] the u. S. Senate for the 113th congress is 53 democrats, 45 republicans, and two independents below caucus but the democrats. They will return for the joint session of the inaugural ceremonies on monday, gingrich 21st. Watch for live coverage on c span2. Speaker boehner has pledged to bring up the second part of Hurricane Sandy relief funding by the 15th. In one of the last acts of the 112th congress, they approved a Flood Insurance claims for those affected by Hurricane Sandy. The final vote was 35467. The no votes were passed by republicans. It is Borrowing Authority to the national Flood Insurance program to pay 115,000 pending claims of alleged by thousand claims unrelated. Here is the house floor debate. It is just under one hour. This storm has left literally millions without power and total areas destroyed. The legislation before us today is simple. It temporarily increases the borrowing power of the month. This is vital to assure the people of my state, it new york, connecticut, will be able to continue to have their contractual Flood Insurance policies honored be. By temporarily increasing the authority it will provide to homeowners and Insurance Companies that the federal government will meet contractual obligations. People devastated will continue to move forward with their lives. I want to commend the gentleman from new york to lead a group of members and other volunteers to help clean and repair some of the devastated areas. We witnessed much devastation and destruction, but we also saw the termination and the Friendly Faces of volunteers who were committed to restoring and rebuilding the area. Its easy for members to come to the floor and vote for legislation, its more difficult to be on the ground physically working, scrubbing, cleaning. While the congress can and does help, it is the hard work and determination of citizens and volunteers from all of the country and will ultimately be the driving force. I commend the gentleman from new york for his efforts and the others around to have volunteered. I look forward to working with him and others to help the people of new jersey, new york, connecticut. I yield back. The gentleman from new york. What think you, madam chair. I yield myself such time as i may consume. Madam speaker, i am pleased today on the floor, though it may be delayed, that we are acting on legislation vital to sandy Disaster Relief legislation to increase the Borrowing Authority by fema on behalf of the national Flood Insurance program. By increasing financing by 9. 70 billion, this will provide relief for 120,000 victims who have waited far too long for a payment. I support todays bill as an important step towards recovery. The house actions to date, i believe, are still slow. 68 days have gone by. I know we have some commitment to move forward, but i am hopeful we will the people entitlements that these people need. Some of the programs that need funding are those to work and protecting the shorelines and coastal communities, Small Business administration to provide loans. Before i yield back my time, let me take some special time to thank mr. Garrett. I want to thank every member of the new york, connecticut, and new jersey delegations for working together to try to make sure that our people receive the kind of aid that they need. I particularly want to say to my friends mr. Grim and mr. Kain where we have worked together with our governors. I also want to give a thank you to Governor Cuomo and gov. Chris christie from new jersey. Working cooperatively not as a democrat or republican but as an elected official to come together to the aid of people who need aid. Im hopeful as we move forward, we do the 9 billion today and we do what we need to do by january 15th and the people of this region receive the aid they need. I reserve the balance of my time. The gentleman reserves. The gentleman from new jersey. I recognize that this helps not only people in our neck of the woods but across the country as we put money in the fund for the Flood Insurance program. I yield to the gentleman from texas, mr. Hensel. For two minutes. The gentleman is recognized. There is no doubt Hurricane Sandy rendered unspeakable damage to lives and property on the east coast and it represents one of the great Natural Disasters of recent history. For millions of our fellow citizens, the devastation has been unspeakable and unfathomable. It is time to rebuild homes, buildings, and lives. For the victims to pay for Flood Insurance policies with the national Flood Insurance program, their claims need to be paid now. Madam speaker, here is the tragic reality. The national Flood Insurance program is broke. It is beyond broke. It is now taxpayerbailouts broke, not unlike our nation, trillions in debt. That to the chinese with the bills onto our children and grandchildren. Right here, right now, members are faced with a tragic choice, of not paying contractual claims to victims to pay a premium or adding 9. 70 billion to an already Insane National Debt threatening national security, economic wellbeing, and their childrens future. Emergency bill like this should not come to the floor without offsets to pay for this for Structural Reforms to make sure that taxpayer bailout are never needed again. Less than 24 hours in to a new congress, theres simply not time. As anyone knows, i have long been critical of the program. For more than four decades, this experiment in government provided insurance has proven to be ineffective and indisputably costly to hardworking american taxpayers. We passed the reauthorization bill with moderate reforms to begin eliminating outdated subsidies and get the program will the gentleman yield additional 30 seconds . I yield to the gentleman from texas. We want to get the program on a path to actuarial soundness, but sandy hit before many of these provisions could take effect. I wish to inform all members in this congress that our committee will take up legislation to transition to a private, innovative, sustainable Flood Insurance market that serves the needs of all of our countrymen but and the unsustainable taxpayer bailout. The great physical tragedy of today should not become a greater fiscal tragedy for our children tomorrow. I yield back. But the gentleman from new york. I yield two womens to the gentlewoman from new york. The gentleman is recognized. Mr. Speaker, the victims of super storm sandy can wait no longer. It has been 11 weeks. Havent they suffered and waited long enough . The people we represent to send those to washington to serve and who are now not nearly crying out for help but screaming for assistance, they demand we act without further delay and pass this bill to immediately increase the Borrowing Authority o ffema and carry out the purpose of the national Flood Insurance program. The help is noverdue. If we fail to act, there are 120,000 Flood Insurance claims payments that will be delayed. The bill before us now will temporarily increase the Borrowing Authority by 9. 70 billion for the Flood Insurance program. Much more is needed and a boat has been promised on january 15th. That absolutely needs to happen. Funds for katrina passed the house in two weeks. We have been waiting for 11 weeks. Funds for icap and gustav passed very quickly funds for ivan and gustav passed. It should not take much appreciation to realize what has been going on for those waiting period for 11 weeks, they have been waiting while this body sat on the bill that showed how long ago been assigned, seemed, and delivered hope to those in desperate need. The billions that they need to rebuild, they needed for the transportation system, to make sure that this does not happen again in the future. Many are shivering tonight in the cold of new york where temperatures are again below freezing. They are in homeless shelters, hotels, with friends. This body needs to act and it needs to act today. It is long overdue. Whats the gentlemans time has expired. I now yield to the gentleman from new york recognize the people from the area have not been waiting and their insurance claims have been paid. Were just here to assure that the payments continue going forward. I yield two minutes. Madam speaker, i rise for this legislation, the first step needed to provide assistance, relieved, and aid that the people of new york, new jersey, and it and connecticut require. In many ways, one of the top two or three most severe storms in the history of our nation. People are suffering. As i said, this is the first major step and hopefully this process will be completed on january 15th. I want to thank the leadership of both parties for coming together on this. As i said, this is the first major step we are taking. Hopefully this will be concluded and completed on january 15. I want to thank the leadership of both parties for coming together but i want to suffice this is vital. This is not a handout or something we are looking for as a favor. We are asking to be treated the same as victims in all other storms and Natural Disasters. Also i think it is important to lay out this is part of the process that in the legislation originally going to be introduced in this house it was never an earmark in the bill. There was never any extraneous spending. He can it is more than to realize that. The house of representatives bill was always targeted toward victims of Hurricane Sandy. It does not go beyond that. It is also important to realize as we are talking today and as the vote goes forward and as we go forward to january 15, the real suffering is out there. These people, my own Neighborhood Homes are devastated. A woman lost two sons in 9 11 and she lost a home now. This is a crisis of unmanualable proportions. The National Media is not following it. If you saw the suffering going on or the people that dont have food and shelter you would realize how horrible this is. It is important we put this behind us and stand together and all as americans. I think governor christie and governor quote have set that model and lets go forward standing as one. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation today and also as we go forward on january 15. The gentleman from new york. I would like to call up the young man who has been a leader in this in new jersey for one minute. The gentleman from new jersey is rocked one minute. The young gentleman is recognized. Madam speaker, this action by the House Republican leadership is too little and too late. I have to say im still very upset and i think it was deplorable that the speaker did not bring this bill up and the whole package that addresses the Hurricane Sandy relief in the lame duck session in the last two days of congress. It would have been passed, it would have been on the president s desk and we would have started to rebuild the shore. It is nine weeks, 10 weeks, whatever it is delay, i have no idea what the senate is going to do. My understanding is that the senate is mired in filibuster the next three weeks and isnt coming back until after the inauguration. We could be waiting another three weeks. The rest of the package, which is the most important part of it, might not come up until we return after a weeks break. We will be on recess and come back the 15 and hopefully the rest of the package comes out that day. That means we have three separate votes on this package that could have been pass and signed into law the last couple of days. That is not acceptable. The gentlemans time has expired. The gentleman from new jersey. To the other young gentleman from new jersey one and a half minutes. I rise in strong support of h. R. 41. I want to thank leadership for posting it and the chairman for offering this legislation boosting the nifp Borrowing Authority by 9. 7 billion. The devastation unleashed by sandy is without precedent and the impact d communities are in dire need of comprehensive assistant. Nowhere is this more evident than in the sheer magnitude of the housing damage and the subsequent housing needs. According to governor Christie Sandy damaged or destroyed 346,000 housing units. That number some 72,397 were covered by the national Flood Insurance program whose owners have submitted claims and are awaiting the insurance payout for comprehensive repairs. Thus far only 18 have received funds pursuant to their claims. Over 80 of my constituents are waiting in limbo and in intolerable situations that is making a bad situation worse. More of our moreover, there are a society of 115,000 insurance claims relating to sandy many of them waiting. This is mustpass legislation. We have an obligation, we have a duty, to meet this compelling need and contractual obligation. This legislation takes us in that direction and i want to thank chairman garrett. The gentleman from new york. I want to thank mr. Garrett especially for earlier his request to make sure that we included on this bill every member from the new york, new jersey, connecticut delegations as sponsors of this bill. And every member of the committee. I want to thank the Ranking Member mrs. Waters. We are all looking at this together and i want to thank mr. Garrett in allowing everybody in the delegation to be part of this bill. Now i would like to yield two minutes to the distinguished whip of the democratic conference and individual who walked with me in breezy point and up and down on the rockaway beach. The hon. Steny hoyer. I want to congratulate all of the members who represent new york, new jersey, connecticut, pennsylvania and other jurisdictions who have been united in a bipartisan way to say let us reach out and act now to help those who have been savaged by sandy. Madam speaker, i rise in support of this bill that will help ensure Flood Insurance benefits will be available for those struggling to recover from super storm sandy. While it is never too late to do the right thing, it is late that we are doing this thing. And we are doing only the bare minimum. Because the Flood Insurance will expire. But Frank Pallone is right, the senate hopefully can act by unanimous consent. Hopefully. On this small portion. But as we did in katrina, we should have acted almost immediately to meet the pain and suffering and loss of the citizens, our fellow americans, who were the victims of sandy but shouldnt have been the victims of our delay. A support this legislation and i urge the speaker and all of us on both sides of the aisle to ensure that on the 15th of this month we act for the balance of the initial dollars that will be available to assist those who have had this loss. I will be very supportive on the 15th and i know that people of connecticut, of new jersey, of new york, and of pennsylvania and of america will hold the speaker and all of us to the promise that no later than the 15th of this month, some 11 days from today, that we will make a full contribution to those people. I yield back the balance of my time. The gentleman from new jersey. I yield to the gentleman from new jersey who also recognizes that there have been absolutely no victims of delay when it comes to the Flood Insurance program because their payments have been made continuously because that program has been funded and we continue to fund it. The gentleman from new jersey. I thank my colleague for yielding. It has been 70 days and the residents of the northeast many have been living in misery and heartache. Im pleased that we are taking this step to support the national Flood Insurance program, which has met the needs of americans across our nation when theres been flooding crises. We in the northeast have been facing this craves now for 70 days. Im glad this essential program is going to be supported. There are about 125,000, from what i understand, sandyrelated claims that could be met by raising this cap. And i think it is good that we are about to do that. This, as others have said, is the first step of what we need to do to rebuild lives to put aside the misery that so many families and businesses have been suffering for this length of time. It is the right step on january 15 and we will be considering a much larger supplemental. A total of 60 billion, which will meet the needs, not all the needs of,connecticut, new jersey and new york and the region, there are considerable needs. But the national Flood Insurance program is a good program and this is a good support. Lets get about it and do it in a bipartisan manner. The gentleman from new york. I yield one minute to the Ranking Member and fighter for Small Businesses throughout america the lady from. I ask for unanimous consent to put in my remarks. Sandy has devastated new york and thousands of my constituents lost their homes and businesses. And it is a shame, an embarrassment for this institution that the House Republican leadership continues playing games with this essential assistance more than two months after the storm struck. It is indefensible that as americans continue to suffer from sandys impact that the House Majority could not get their act together to bring the aid package to a vote. This is also the case with todays legislation. While i fully support providing fema with additional funding, it is just another sign of the majoritys dysfunction. With fema just days away from being unable to pay flood claims the republicans argue among themselves about what to do. That is sad. It is a sad situation. So today we are taking 10 morning seconds. By Flood Insurance. What about Small Businesses . They are getting nothing. We as an Institution Come together when there is National Disaster across this nation. My sits deserve nothing less. My constituents deserve nothing less. Thank you and i yield back. The gentleman from new jersey. Please i yield two minutes from the gentleman from new york who led the efforts on the ground putting his shoulder to the grindstone to help restore some peoples homes. The gentleman is recognized for two minutes. Thank you. First, madam chair, i would like to take 15 seconds to tell chairman garrett that as much as i appreciate him bringing this bill to the floor today, he came to my district with his wife, came to midland beach, was in one of the homes, several of the homes that were completely devastated, pulling out moldy sheetrock and bringing a little hope to people in complete despair and for that i will be eternally grateful and i do thank my chairman for that compassion and letting the people even outside of his own district know that he is there and cares about them. I would also like to share with you, i called someone this morning from Staten Island that lives in new york beach and they have a teenage son named dillon and they have not been back in their home since the storm. I asked how are your two sons doing. He said they are great but dillon hasnt gone back to the house to help with the construction because he gets choked up. It is that that i want to emphasize here. These are human beings. Children that have been completely displaced. It is up to us to get them back on their feet. Today is one of those steps that im proud to be part of and tell dillon that he is going to be ok, we will get him become in his house. I would ask as we go forward with the other parts of sandy relief that my colleagues will stand with me and tell dillon that he will be ok. With that again i want to thank all of my colleagues across the aisle. It has been a pleasure to work with you. I want to thank chairman garrett one last time. I yield back. The gentleman from new york. I yield two minutes to the distinguished Ranking Member from the Appropriations Committee and hard fighter. The gentlemen woman from new york is recognized. I thank the distinguished Ranking Member for your eloquence. Madam speaker, i rise in strong support of this legislation and i would like to thank chairman garrett for introducing it and efforts to bring it to the floor. The national Flood Insurance program has hit its limit. Without increased Borrowing Authority it couldnt pay for himself as early as next week. That means 120,000 payments will be delayed all of which nearly due to Hurricane Sandy. But this is not enough. In december the Senate Passed an Emergency Assistance package to aid in the Sandy Recovery which included this legislation. Emergency assistance package to aid those in connecticut, new jersey, new york. The 112th congress ended without action and we are starting over on an important legislation that is critical to help the affected areas that could have, we know that there is no reason it was not signed in 2012. However, we have been promised a vote by the 15th. Families in my district are looking to congress and asking why are you making it so difficult for us to rebuild . Why are you making us to wait to rebuild . Todays legislation is a start, only a first that, towards providing relief. Makingwe do not need a piecemel approach. We need a comprehensive sandy bill today. We hold you to your commitment on january 15, not one day lead not one day later. Gentleman from new jersey . I am pleased to yield one limit one minute to the gentleman from new jersey. Madam speaker, it has been 68 days since Hurricane Sandy devastated the northeast. While it is long overdue, i am pleased the we are finally here acting to help the people of new jersey. It has caused billions in damage, forcing businesses businesses to close, resulting in job loss and revenue loss. My constituents and need help now. I have witnessed firsthand the devastation in places lake seaside heights, and i can say that these places look like war zones after the storm. Whole communities have been wiped out. Governor christie estimated the damage in new jersey to be over 36 billion. I applaud his swift action on Sandy Recovery and join him with all local and state federal leaders in new jersey to ensure all relief funds get to new jersey and families and busy as quickly as possible. This includes Adequate Funding for a program we are voting on today and i urge passage of this essential legislation. The gentleman from new york. At this time i yield one minute to the gentleman from jersey the member of the ways and means committee. It is like we are having a Sadie Hawkins dance. The real sponsor of this legislation are the people that are hurt. It took only 10 days after trepb until president bush signed 60 billion in katrina aid passed by the congress. How dare you come to this floor and make people think everything is ok . In fact one of the gentlemen from new jersey said we have not waited at all. The insurance runs out in one week. What are we going to do . Wait one week and act . We would not be here. Who the heck are you kidding. So we all come together very nicely this morning for breakfast and eggs and we know what has happened over the last 10 days. This is a total, total disaster in helping those people that we are saying today we are helping them. Isnt that wonderful . That is our job. We are not doing anybody any favors. That is why we were sent here. Try it once in a while, democracy. You may like it. The gentleman from new jersey mr. Garrett. At this point i yield two minutes to the gentleman it realize it is not just what we do on the floor but the volunteering and dedication to help these people. I want to thank the chairman for recognizing me and i just want to say that i support this bill not because i support the increased borrowing that were doing for our Flood Insurance program of 9. 7 billion, but it is a contractual agreement that we owe to these policyholders to pay these claims. It is not their fault that we in the government do not, are not good managers of our money. In 1968 when this policy and this program feels put into place was put into place it had a Borrowing Authority of 1. 5 billion. It was not until katrina that we raised that Borrowing Authority to 20 billion. We still owe 20 billion. We are now raising the Borrowing Authority to 30 billion. In 2017, which is 4 1 2 years away, the Borrowing Authority goes back to 1. 5 billion. Im sure we will address that at 11 59 on september 30 of 2017. I would like to ask on both sides of the aisle lets start working on that now. This cost to the government is the 1,763 for every policyholder that has Flood Insurance. The average premium is about 600. We have paid people 10 and 20 and 30 times for claims that lived in the same house in the same flood plain. I had an amendment to the Flood Insurance bill that said if you had that claims due to floods and you did not take the payout then you would have to pay a rate based premium. It didnt pass. Weve got to get into reality what this Flood Insurance program is for. It is mandatory. If you have a government backed honor and you live in a flood plain that is likely to flood in 100 years you have to have the insurance. But we need to make sure i yield to the gentleman an additional 15 seconds. We need to make sure what we are doing is something that can manage itself and us not continually having to raise the Borrowing Authority. With that i do support the bill and it is an obligation we have to the policyholders and i ask everyone support it. The gentleman from new york. At this time i would like to bring up the Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs committee. For how much time . For one minute. The gentleman from new york is recognized one minute. I thank my friend from new york and rise in strong support of this legislation but i must say tuesday night when i found out we were not taking this legislation up in the Previous Congress was the angriest i have been since i have been a member of congress. In the last 20 years this is the longest people affected by Natural Disasters have waited for congress to provide relief. It is not acceptable. I voted for aid for all areas of the country wherever theres been a Natural Disaster and the northeast deserves the same. New york has been a donor state and we give more to the federal government than we take back. Now we need help and politics shouldnt be played with the help we need. We should be supporting the entire package. Im sorry we are not voting for the entire panel today. We now have to wait for the senate to pass whatever we pass. This could have been gone and done on tuesday night and the aid would have been speeding to the people. This is not acceptable and i hope that theres no further delay. My sits are suffering. The people of new york, new jersey and new york are suffering. Congress needs to get out of the way and send not only this 9. 7 billion insurance but the entire package. I yield become. The gentleman from new jersey. Just to set the record straight with regard to the legislation before us a Flood Insurance program the aid under this program is going and has been going to the recipients in the effected area because there was funding in this program before. What we are doing now is make sure that aid will continue to go to those people who have contracts for insurance. With that i yield two minutes to the gentleman from new york who also is very familiar with the devastation. I thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise in strong support of the legislation. As intimated in the summer of 2011 my district was struck by hurricanes. We came together to support my constituents. With that assistance we are in the process of rebuilding. Now we come together in the wake of this devastating Natural Disaster and my state with our neighboring states were struck again. Making certain that our communities have the resources has brought me here to advocate for new york families, businesses and farms. Todays vote is a step forward. The national Flood Insurance program exists for circumstances like this. But more remains. We must come together at the outset of this session to address both the immediate recovery needs and longerterm rebuilding efforts. Im committed to this effort. Im produce of the bipartisan work we have achieved. We need to continue that. I want to thank the gentleman from pneumonia new jersey and i urge my colleagues to support it. Can the clerk identify the time remaining . The gentleman from new jersey has 4 45 and the gentleman from new york has 6 45. I yield one minute to the gentleman from new jersey. Without objection. First of all, its 15 seconds. Just to the set the record straight. With regard to the legislation before us, a Flood Insurance program, the aid under this program is going and has been going to the recipients in the affected area because there was funding in this program before. What were doing right now is to make sure that that aid will continue to go to those people who have contracts for insurance. And with that, i now yield two minutes to the gentleman from new york who is very familiar to the devastation caused to constituents. Gentleman from new york recognized for two minutes. I thank the gentleman for yielding and rise in strong support of the legislation. As was intimated, in the summer of 2011, my district was struck by hurricanes irene and lee and we came together as a body to support my constituents and with that assistance provided, were in the process of rebuilding, still rebuilding, i might add and now we come together in the wake of this devastating Natural Disaster, sandy, my state along with our neighboring states were struck again and making certain that our communities have the resources they need has brought me to the floor today again to advocate for new york families, businesses and farms. Todays vote is a step forward. The national Flood Insurance program exists for circumstances like this but more remains. We must come together at the outset of this legislative session to address both the immediate recovery needs and longer term rebuilding efforts. Im committed to the recovery effort. Im proud of the bipartisan work our delegates have achieved and i urge my colleagues to support the bill and yield back. Gentleman yields back. Identify the time remaining on both sides. The gentleman from new jersey has 4. 75 minutes remaining and the gentleman from new york has 6. 75 minutes remaining. I yield one minute to the gentleman from new jersey. Gentleman from new jersey is recognized for one minute without objection. Madam speaker, the delay in helping the victims of Hurricane Sandy is obviously inexcusable and unjust. But its equally obvious that the time has come to do what we can to help solve the problem. Thats why im for the passage of this bill today. It will in fact help Flood Insurance claims be honored and paid so that people can go about the work of rebuilding their homes. Weve heard about the january 15 vote coming on the rest of the plan. I think we shouldnt be holding out false hope about that because heres the reality. Im certain we will vote on january 15. But, of course, the constitution says the other body has to vote, too. They have to start all over again and then the president has to sign the bill. It is my strong hope that the leadership between now and january 15 will reach out to the leadership of the other body and try to prenegotiate a bill that the senate would quickly and expeditiously take up so we can solve this problem. The house taking a vote on january 15 is lovely. It is also utterly meaningless if the other body does not act. I yield back the balance of my time. Gentleman, time has expired. Gentleman from new jersey. At this time i would like to yield two minutes from a gentleman from a state which is not immune from national and Natural Disasters, gentleman from california is recognized. Gentleman from california is recognized for two minutes. Thank you, madam speaker. Today were doing the important thing, the critical thing. I wish today this has been what wed voted on in the previous session, to recharge the Flood Insurance that needs to be there so that men and women in connecticut, new jersey, new york and the like will not question whether or not their country can provide them with the resources that are expected to be there in the time of a National Disaster like that. But madam speaker, i rise to say that january 15 is critical and as the previous speaker said, we do need to prenegotiate with the senate. We need to get the pork out. Now, none of that pork were talking about is in new york, new jersey or connecticut. In fact, its as far away as alaska. The bill that we will not vote on today, im speaking the pork that we will not vote on today is, in fact, the pork that was in this bill from the senate and my hope is that we will see january 15 a negotiated, clean bill that only deals with the men and women and families on the eastern seaboard that need to be taken care of. I think it is our responsibility to make the supplementals only about the emergency. For people on the eastern seaboard that are suffering, time is running out and all of our leader need to make sure the next vote, the vote on january 15, as the previous speaker said, will be a vote that in fact will be prenegotiated that will run through the senate and that in fact will deal only with the people suffering on the eastern seaboard. I yield to the gentleman
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