Cravaack, Klobuchar and Franken ask Obama to reconsider FEMA decision

Posted at 5:12 PM on August 1, 2012 by Brett Neely
Filed under: U.S. House, U.S. Senate

WASHINGTON - Members of Minnesota's congressional delegation are going straight to President Obama in their attempt to get assistance for individuals who lost property during severe floods this past June in northeastern Minnesota.

Last week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency turned down Minnesota's request for disaster aid for individuals although state and local governments are eligible for federal aid to repair washed out roads and other facilities.

"We have all visited the affected areas and seen the damage to private property, and are deeply concerned that the Administration determined that the severe damage to homes was not significant enough to warrant this support," wrote DFL U.S. Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar and Republican U.S. Rep. Chip Cravaack in a letter to Obama. "While we are continually impressed with the community response and the resilience of our constituents, we believe that federal assistance is necessary beyond the public assistance that has already been granted."

Gov. Mark Dayton also protested the agency's decision. A special session of the state legislature to deal with disaster aid is expected later this month.

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