{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/watson-coleman-pallone-kim-applaud-house-passage-of-appropriations-bill-that-provides-relief-for-families-still-recovering-from-sandy", "Watson Coleman, Pallone, Kim Applaud House Passage of Appropriations Bill that Provides Relief for Families Still Recovering from Sandy", "2021-07-29", "2021", "2021-07", "Democrat", "House", "NJ", "Bonnie Watson Coleman", "W000822", "watsoncoleman.house.gov", "watsoncoleman", "https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-6) and Andy Kim (NJ-3) today applauded House passage of an appropriations bill that provides relief for families currently required to pay back disaster relief funds they received after Superstorm Sandy.\n\nThe provisions in the bill grant the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development the authority to waive the requirement for New Jersey homeowners to pay back federal disaster relief aid, also known as clawbacks, as a result of Superstorm Sandy. Many homeowners who received relief funds have been required to repay some or all the funds, creating a financial burden during a time of economic crisis. Sandy-related clawbacks estimated to be worth tens of millions of dollars are impacting approximately 500 homeowners in New Jersey.\n\n\u201cAmerica is at its best when it works together to help those in need,\u201d said Congresswoman Watson Coleman. \u201cSuperstorm Sandy devastated thousands of New Jersey families and America came together to help them. The passage of this bill is welcome news. The financial relief it provides will go a long way toward those still seeking to be made whole. I\u2019m grateful for the hard work of Congressmen Pallone and Kim for their hard work to see this through.\u201d\n\n\u201cNearly nine years ago, Superstorm Sandy devasted our state and homeowners who faced the storm\u2019s wrath. The passage of this bill is good news for New Jersey residents who still face extraordinary financial strain as a result of Superstorm Sandy\u2019s destruction,\u201d Congressman Pallone said. \u201cThis financial relief would go a long way to help hardworking New Jersey families who are recovering from Sandy. I want to thank Congresswoman Watson Coleman and Congressman Kim for their outstanding leadership on this important issue.\u201d\n\n\"This relief for New Jerseyans is something I am proud to have fought for because we can't say we've truly recovered from Superstorm Sandy until every one of our neighbors is back on their feet,\" said Congressman Kim. \"Today we are one step closer to recovery, thanks to the tireless efforts of Congressman Pallone, Congresswoman Watson Coleman, and the incredible advocates at the New Jersey Organizing Project. Nearly a decade after the storm, it is important to remember the victims hardest hit, and to be able to deliver them some relief. I am proud to have been part of this vitally important effort.\"\n\n\u201cEven after nine years, the wounds from Hurricane Sandy endure,\u201d said Congressman Pascrell. \u201cMany New Jerseyans have still not been made whole. Seeking loan repayment from many of them is unwise and unwarranted. Recognizing the pain of our neighbors, our strong congressional delegation stands together to give our neighbors peace of mind. We are one step closer to making this law.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe are grateful to the New Jersey Congressional delegation for any action to forgive Community Disaster Loans,\u201d said Lisa Stevens of Little Egg Harbor. \u201cMany of the families in our community are still struggling and do not need to be burdened with any more cost due to Superstorm Sandy.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs a Superstorm Sandy survivor, I know the struggles of navigating the Broken Recovery System. For eight years, families have fought to get back in their homes, and many are now forced to repay grant money through no fault of their own,\u201d said Jody Stewart of the New Jersey Organizing Project. \u201cWe are grateful for all assistance we are getting from our Representatives to put closure on clawbacks and allow families to close the book on the storm.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am grateful that Congressman Pallone and the New Jersey congressional delegation work for best interests of Sandy survivors and continue to support us by fighting for clawback forgiveness,\u201d said Rose Steward of Long Branch. \u201cClawback forgiveness will give Sandy survivors the opportunity to finally become whole and put the storm behind us.\u201d\n\nIn April, Pallone led an appropriations request letter to provide relief for families currently required to pay back disaster relief funds they received after Superstorm Sandy. The letter was signed by the entire New Jersey delegation in the House of Representatives.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:03:51Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://watsoncoleman.house.gov/newsroom/press-releases/watson-coleman-pallone-kim-applaud-house-passage-of-appropriations-bill-that-provides-relief-for-families-still-recovering-from-sandy"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.7545840926468372, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}