The full House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hears from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate about his organization's preparations for Hurricane Sandy and FEMA's response to states as they continue to recover from the storm.
Lawmakers expressed several concerns to Administrator Fugate, including the need to review how lower income neighborhoods and the elderly received assistance following the late October hurricane. Additionally, the Committee asked him to detail any weaknesses before and after the storm hit the nation's East coast.
"This is not going to be a quick recovery,” said Mr. Fugate while touring damages in Connecticut. He stated that FEMA will continue to aid distressed states. "We're going to be here awhile," he said when speaking to state officials.
Senior Advisors from Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Deputy Commanding General for the Army Corps of Engineers along with several state emergency officials also testify on national and state response efforts.