FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 12, 1997
CONTACT: Dana Hagerty 202/225-2165
WASHINGTON, DC -- Congressman Collin C. Peterson (DFL-7th District) today expressed extreme relief that the U.S. House of Representatives was finally able to pass a clean disaster relief bill.
"This was long overdue," Peterson said. "But now that Congress is doing its job, I'm sure the President will sign the bill and get this money on the way to Minnesota. With only 100 or so days left in the construction season for the flood area, the flood victims in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota simply can't wait any longer."
The Senate is expected to pass the bill immediately and send it on to the President for his signature before the end of the day.
"I think we finally got a clean bill not only because of the overwhelming public pressure that came from the thousands of families who have been waiting for emergency aid to help them rebuild their lives, but also because the rest of the country was tired of watching this Congress play politics with this bill," Peterson said. "It is unfortunate that even after all this, 73 Republicans and 1 Democrat still voted no on this bill."