WASHINGTON U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta (R, PA-11) today called on Senate leaders to move quickly on the Disaster Loan Fairness Act of 2012 in order to provide long-overdue relief to disaster victims throughout the nation.
Barletta sent letters to the leadership of the Senate asking that legislative body to consider and pass HR 6296 quickly so some of his constituents who are recovering from historic flooding can receive a lower interest rate and a refund from the federal government.
"Victims cannot afford to wait for the Senate to delay passing the Disaster Loan Fairness Act. Homeowners are still struggling to rebuild their lives. Business owners are still struggling to recover from their losses. In this economy, lowering the interest rates of disaster loans and refunding the overpayments would dramatically help victims when they need it most. The Senate needs to act, and act quickly," Barletta said.
"I call on the Senate leadership to act quickly on this bill and provide the people of the 11th District, the people of Pennsylvania, and disaster victims all across the United States the relief they desperately need," he said.
After flooding caused by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, from Oct. 1, 2011, through Aug. 31, 2012, the U.S. Small Business Administration issued disaster loans totaling $32,979,000 to 510 homeowners and business owners