WASHINGTON, DC—U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today announced that the Borough of Lavallette will receive more than $1.1 million in federal funding to help cover costs related to Superstorm Sandy. The funding, through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will reimburse the borough for emergency response costs, including compensation for first responders who worked to remove downed electrical wires, perform water rescues, and clear blocked roadways.

“When Superstorm Sandy hit, first responders in Lavallette acted quickly to protect the community and serve local residents during a time of great need,” said Lautenberg, the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee that funds FEMA. “This funding is good news and a good start, but much work lies ahead. We're going to keep working in Washington and with state and local leaders to rebuild New Jersey and make our communities stronger than ever.”

“The last thing first responders need to be worrying about during an emergency like Superstorm Sandy is whether there’s going to be money to pay for their response efforts. Federal funding to reimburse towns like Lavallette for the expenses incurred while responding to the storm helps keep a natural disaster from turning into a financial one – if only for a single community,” said Senator Menendez. “The reality is many towns were severely impacted by Sandy’s wrath. Now that the House has restored the Sandy relief previously approved by the Senate, I call upon my colleagues in the Senate to pass the relief next week that will enable families and businesses to rebuild throughout New Jersey.”

Yesterday, the House of Representatives finished passing a Sandy disaster relief bill that will now be considered by the Senate.

As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Lautenberg was a main co-author of the Senate's original $60.4 billion emergency supplemental funding bill to bring relief to residents, homeowners, businesses, and local governments, which passed last year.

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