New York Reps. John Katko (R-Camillus) and Tom Reed (R-Corning) expect that Congress will support a financial aid package for the victims of Hurricane Harvey when they return to Washington, D.C. next month.
Reed says it's too early to determine how much money will be needed to assist the nation's fourth-largest city, where the storm has devastated the area. But he says it could be a significant amount since Congress appropriated tens of billions of dollars after Hurricane Sandy ravaged the northeast.
"As we stood with the Sandy aid victims, we are going to stand with the families and individuals of Texas and make sure we come up with a package of what is clearly a need that our fellow American citizens need in this time of devastation," Reed said.
When Congress passed the aid package for Sandy victims, the majority of Texas' Congressional delegation opposed the effort. Katko says he finds it interesting that some of those same members are now leading the charge for help in Houston.
"Regardless, politics aside, I'm going to do what's right," Katko said. "I'm not going to say, 'We're going to get you back for what you did with Sandy.' Forget it. We're going to do what's right for the American people."
In addition to aid for Houston, Congress will have to address the debt ceiling limit when they go back to work. Reed says there is a chance the two could become intertwined, but he would prefer to keep the issues separate.