WATERBURY, Vt. -
The Republican running for Congress says if elected he would work to secure more FEMA funding for Vermont.
Mark Donka says the state needs about $100 million to replace damaged state office buildings. He says Democratic Congressman Peter Welch has not done enough to get that money from FEMA. Donka says he would be able to work better with Republicans who control the House and would propose cuts in other federal program to offset any additional funding he seeks for Vermont. For example, Donka would propose cutting money to Amtrak and the public transit system in Vermont.
"So it comes down to which direction voters in Vermont choose. Do they want to choose the status quo for a representative who can't deliver in crucial situations with a spend till their ain't no more mentality-- or a leader who will be there for Vermont while getting Vermont back on track," Donka said.
In response, Congressman Peter Welch notes that he has already worked successfully with Republicans to free up millions of dollars in disaster relief for Vermont. And Welch says he was one of only six Democrats to vote in favor of paying for disaster assistance through cuts elsewhere in the federal budget.
