Federal disaster officials realized that they had enough money to pay for hurricane, earthquake, and other disaster recoveries without needing an emergency $1 billion cash infusion, and kicked the date for more decisions until November 18th. Democrats had argued that cutting the budget to fund disaster relief would set a dangerous precedent. Without having to pay the extra money for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster activities, the Senate eliminated a $1.5 billion cut that House Republicans had made to an energy-efficiency program targeted to carmakers.
This brings up the debate of who should pay for disasters and why. Currently, many states have easy access to this money when they don't really need it, compared to states who are less vulnerable to disasters yet receive little money. I believe that this money should come from the state level, because they are the ones who are mainly affected by certain disasters. In other words, why should citizens in Maine have to pay for earthquake relief in California, each and every time? Yet, if California cannot pay for disaster after disaster, the government should then step in and provide a pool of money for relief. Also, this stands for a poor example of how a nation this strong would not come together and lend a hand at helping other Americans.
Article here:
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/09/27/government-shutdown-averted-with-senate-bill-and-discovery-of-fema-money.html
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