House Majority Shitkicker Eric Cantor reiterated his position on Fixed News today that we will have to find savings elsewhere before we can lift a finger to aid those who have lost everything or begin rebuilding the areas of the northeast devastated by flood waters.
The Washington Post reported this morning that FEMA will need more money than it currently has to deal with the storm’s aftermath and is already diverting funds from other recent disasters to deal with the hurricane, but Cantor’s comments suggest Republicans won’t authorize more funds without a fight.
Cantor took the position following the tornadoes that devastated Joplin, Missouri and elsewhere in the spring and summer, and after last week’s earthquake, the epicenter for which was in his district, but the hurricane’s level of destruction is far beyond that of those disasters. Still, Cantor told Fox News that while “we’re going to find the money,” “we’re just going to need to make sure that there are savings elsewhere to do so.”
Meanwhile, very rough estimates of the damage are beginning to come in, with initial estimates in the range of $7 billion dollars.
It's easy to believe that number will rise sharply over the next several days after looking at photos like these from Vermont.
Sorry Vermont. According to Eric Cantor, we'll need to cut funding from healthcare, food stamps, or food safety before we can provide assistance.
You didn't think he meant raise taxes on the rich or cut defense spending when he said "find savings elsewhere," did you?
It's no mystery. There's only so many places you can "find savings" when the only reasonable options have been ruled out.