any level that the committee would like. while rapid repairs helped thousands of new yorkers to move back into their homes, that was the beginning. thousands of families need much done to make a full recovery and make their homes able to better withstand climatetorms and other impacts. thanks to 15.2, it was 16 toortunately due sequestration, of community developed block grant funding, leadership of shaun donovan and the federal recovery taskforce, we launched build it back, a $700 million program in june, with the city's first cdbg funding and the basic idea is to help homeowners continue that recovery. avs october 31, nearly 26,000 families have signed up for the and approximately 500 of those had homes that were destroyed. we have encouraged many new yorkers to seek this help and we're glad that they've done so. need and, the overall demand does exceed supplies. so we will need additional to make surend that the neediest get funding

first.port we've prioritized by income level and those who are the most damaged. that between 55% and 60% of all of these applicants group our first priority and we're focusing on them. right now we're actually have 8,000d we people who are going through insurance verification processes, tier two environmental assessments, and secretary donovan's been very to streamlineing those processes to take advantage of the work the done.l government has at the homeowner and building level, the greatest remaining challenge for new yorkers is the affordability of flood insurance. members of this committee is well aware of it. the city commissioned an independent study that shows that only 35% of property owners the floodplain who were required to have flood insurance it.ally had premiums could go up for the new fema maps that are going to be o ing out from an average

of $430 a year to $5,000 t to $10,000 a year. encouraged by the legislation working its way through to delay until affordability can be addressed in a real way. the greatest long-term challenge we face is protecting new yorkers over the term. at the same time that we are getting families back into their homes and repairing the city's principle structure, the mayor commissioned a study on the impacts that new york city will and the 2050's. the result is this plan, stronger, more resilient new york. i brought some extra copies for the committee. you can get it on our website, ncc.gov. it has initiatives to protect of york city's 520 miles coastline as well as critical infrastructure and service term.ks over the long sandy took out huge segments of the power grid. 95% of the telecommunications network in this lower manhattan. it took out hospital row on 1st closing down hospitals around the city. achievable, an

affordable way to mitigate the most -- most of these impacts otherhe next big storm or climate event, whether it's a flood, downpours or drought, city.ew york and we are on track to complete 43 critical milestones before year.d of the the army corps of engineers is one of our most important partners in this effort. we estimate more tha than $1.5 million of cubic yards lost.d were 3 million more cubic yards are on the way. i have to say having worked with for the lasts seven years, the work that they're doing on the beach right i've ever fastest seen them operate without exception. summarize?ve you you're a little over the limit. >> sorry about that. >> don't worry. your statement will be included record. >> great. i just want to note, new york do all of this recovery alone. there are many areas over which no control.le or the power grid, telecommunications, and other critical networks.

and so we want to work with congress, with additional we'll get tohat make sure we can implement this plan. clearly we have a long way to go and we'll need additional allocations. but if the support we've received from congress and the far is anyernment so indication, i'm confident we'll be able to meet those needs and better prepare new york for climate challenges come next. i'm happy to answer any questions. >> fantastic. thank you very much. to go to the ranking member and then i'll come back to me and then down to the other here.mbers that are senator paul? >> thank you. .hank you i grew up on the gulf coast, so i know about hurricanes from personal experience. of you tryingall to help in the aftermath of a .errible hurricane question for secretary donovan. do you think that sandy relief on tvought to be spent ads? >> i assume what you're referring to, senator is that aere has been an effort in number of states not just in

well but historically as in many, many prior storms to economic development. we did see a small amount of cdbg money that was used for an tonomic development campaign encourage people back to the beaches. >> do you think it's a good idea or bad idea? we've --idence that >> spending funds on tv ads. >> the evidence that we have campaigns arehose effective in growing economic development in those areas. and, therefore, they actually reduce the cost of recovery to government. >> i don't think we need to argue about whether ads work. ads work. but do you think ads for sandy relief should be spent on tv ads? yes or no? idea, bad idea? >> as i said, we looked at the have seen itwe encourages economic development. >> my understanding is you all a waiveyou have to give

tore do this. >> senator, if i could -- the community development block flexiblea very program. this is clearly within the legal of what congress has determined the program can be used for. waswe were -- it demonstrated to us that this could be an effective tool. and actually lower the cost of government. >> it gives a little bit of a black eye to something that going to a of it is good purpose. but i would say that if i were in your position, i would have tod no, we're not going spend ads. here's another problem. some of these ads people running their mug all over these ads while they're in the middle of a political campaign. jersey 25 million was spent on ads that included somebody running for political office. be ahink there might conflict of interest there? that's a real problem. people o who are trying to do good and trying to use taxpayers' money wisely, to see ourended money spent on political ads. that's just offensive. have ayork, you actually rule.

they're not allowed to do it. sox new york did the same thing -- so new york did the object, butwhich i at least they didn't put someone's fate face on the ad ad their family. a bioad.like i think, yeah, come to new jersey but it's like, i don't want to pay for ads for advertising out of sandy relief fund it gives the whole thing a black eye. it isn't just sandy relief funds. we spent $684 million for obama care. well, it's a fairly contentious issue that was very partisan and one party. should we then get to spend taxpayer money advertising for political purposes? i don't think a penny of taxpayer money should go to advertising. advertising. here's the other criticism. outle appointed -- pointed it's taken a while for money to get to people. i think it was like one article homeownerouse or one in one instance coming for an department yet the money tv got through quickly. when people want to advertise and promote themselves, all of a

sudden, bowed 3w5078, money -- boom, money is on tv it and so is their ad. just ask -- i know you want to do the right thing. not it's awhether or good idea. my understanding is it took a waiver from your office to use for this and that the tv ads had to be approved in that sense by your office. is, there have been community development grants given to something called a river festival in manhattan. i sure hope none of this money i don't to it and that find in and out a year the river festival got money for this. because the river festival is and of all kinds of great groovy things like performance art, bunch of people showing up their cell phone up playing the same songs. that would be a lot of fun. i would thereof attend. going toe we're not find sandy relief money went to stuff like that. as you said, community block anything. go to so i sure hope that someone is watching the taxpayers' dollar. all i have. thank you. >> thank you very much. secretary donovan, can i follow up? clear to make sure we're on one thing.

the cdbg money, as a former mayor and i think now senator say the same thing, it can't be used for anything. there's limitations. correct? >> exactly correct. i did not say it could be used for anything. clear statutory purposes. sure thatd and made it did meet those purposes. if congress determines that development campaigns should not be included, then obviously that could be added to legislation. but currently they are within bounds of the law. >> let me get to a broader question. that -- i have a chart i've seen. i'm trying to analyze this. fema -- i think i know the answer, but i want to have at least a three agency people, other than fema, answer this. feelia, when i look at the money -- fema, when i look at the money of appropriated, obligated, expendeds, you're fairly high up there. you've moved the money out the there. the other is in the process or not as much in the percentages appropriated.at's

so maybe if i could start with secretary donovan and then go to ie next two, just so understand why there's a lag -- i think i know the answer, but i hear thiske sure i for the record. i understand fema, because you've got to get in there. you don't have the luxury of years and bring the money after the fact. so help me understand that. because that's one of the a lot of that i get times when they see the reports and say -- where's the money being spent? i start with you? >> absolutely. importantis is a very point. one of the things that's critical to understand is by law is only allowed to be used on otherthat are not met by funding sources. >> so you're the last bucket. step are the third effectively for homeowners, for small businesses. we've seen very consistently that fema moved to make that first allocation. but only up to $30,000 can be used for homeowners, for examp

example. and that takes care of the damage. you must make sure that your insurance company has paid their claim. and that process needs to happen. twothen only when those have been utilized can we then make cdbg available. why cdbg only began to pay out more recently. let me just give you one comparison. at the point where we are today, since the appropriation was made by congress, we are more than wereaster in sandy than we under katrina. we are more than 300% faster on cdbg.ere in ike so clearly we have improved the process. do?there things we could legislatively or within our own power to make it faster? yes. we are working on many of those things. but relatively speaking, i think we both have been faster and more careful in the way we're using cdbg money in this storm. i move -- i ask you, some

of those ideas at some point legislatively or regulatory, you can share those with the committee at some point? so if there's things we could be asng to help in the future, we continue to improve that flow, that would be helpful. >> absolutely. theuld just compliment committee on having made many changes for sandy that have sped up spending already. >> very good i was going to ask you if i have time, i'll ask about the bridge issue and how used the techniques. i want to know more about that. >> mr. chairman, thanks. question.nt the transportation funding that was provided in the supplemental is being used for very specific transportation purposes. .nd i'll quickly go through the federal aviation administration with the direct appropriation is -- has repaired damage to the three major airports in the region. that is work that we've done contractorr with forces. the federal highway releasedation first money within hours of requests under what we call quick release authority to get the work rebuilding the

highway system. then its emergency relief program operates on a reimbursable basis. done. work gets it's done by state or local governments. and the federal government reimburses at the end. that is a way that we protect and make sure that we get the it shouldilt the way be. flan this case with some resiliency for the future. transit program, we've made extensive use of what we call pre-award authority. specific transit projects as part of the sandy recovery have given pre-award authority where the transit agency will be building those facilities according to federal reimburseds and then as part of the process. that's a way to get project underway quickly and make sure get the product that the taxpayers deserve. >> very good. jo-ellen? i said in in my opening statement, we have several money. of

some for investigations, which is ongoing studies, as well as our comprehensive study. spend-out rate is not as quick as would be for our emergency money. had,mergency money that we we've expended nearly most of our expenditures. completed in be the early part of next year. those were the repairs to our existing projects. repairing the sand dunes that had been devastated. third bucket is for construction. had 18're doing is we projects that were authorized but unconstructed. and some of those projects had several yearsd ago. so what we're doing now is looking at those projects to see whether in the light of climate change and sea level rise, whether those projects are still -- will be sustainable and resilient. so that study is the less expenditure. but once we go through that study process, once we do the engineereconstruction and design which is a smaller amount of money, once we get to the actual construction, that's outlays.see the

>> one quick question. then i'm going to go to the members. five-minute to do rounds. ca srks i'm going to speak in a moment. i'm going to substitute myself back to my mayor days. the frustration always with the organizations was they would get this money and then you'd hope and pray it would at some pointou in some rational deliverable way. me your sense of how that workedded or could have givebeen main maybe later recommendations, how did that work? cdbg, i don't know if it went directly to state or local. tell me how that worked when money went to the state? it?you're there waiting for >> well in this case, mr. the funding -- new york city got its own direct allocation, which was great for .s the level of damage that we totained and our ability

take those resources and really start working with them strong.ely is really so far the allocation that have come, there's a separate of newion for the state york and new york city has gotten its own allocations from it's beenective, great. >> that's worked? >> yes. >> let me stop there. i have additional questions but go to senator booker. >> senator from new york, who has a wonderful view of new jersey would like to go first go.use she has someplace to >> please. >> thank you, mr. chairman. thank you very much, senator booker. work you've all the done and every single one of you has done extraordinary work in terms of getting money flowing, getting large projects done, getting things up and rung. i appreciate it. from my i hear constituents is not good. i hear so many stories of rebuild,nts who can't who haven't gotten money. there's so much red tape that theirannot possibly find way through. so i want to ask each of you tape thats of red concern me that hopefully you

can give me the road forward so let my constituents know that relief is possible. secretary donovan, this one seems very difficult. a number of my constituents were that becauseearn they accepted small business administration loans that they now ineligible for cdbg funding. i understand the need to make duplication in getting federal benefits and we want to protect against fraud, but -- and that is absolutely critical to the integrity of this program. but is there any distinction grantsn be made between and loans under the duplication of benefits regulations? and under the current federal regulations what are the options for sandy affected homeowners whoaccepted sba loans but believe they are at a financial disadvantage relative to homeowners who chose not to an sba loan? >> this is something your office raised with us and that others did. clear thatally made

even if a homeowner or business been approved for a loan, sba were still eligible for assistance. so, in fact, it is not accurate are ineligible. >> but they had been told they're ineligible. is that something we can fix in of those communicating? >> let me be clear though. in cdbg, iting else is up to local communities to they use exactly how these funds. and one thing that we have encouraged communities to do, i want to be clear about what situation the homeowners you're talking to, if a if a small business can afford to repay a loan, we not think, and we've made clear, that communities should grants available because these are precious, limited dollars. encouragedve communities to do is to do an evaluation. and i have heard frustrations owners,iness

homeowners. they say, well, somebody else is getting a grant, i'm getting a loan. is, if they can afford that grant -- i mean, that loan, then doencourage communities to an underwrite and evaluate that and to use grants only where a homeowner or a business cannot afford to repay a loan. the guidance that we've given. but we do leave flexibility for communities to make that determination. that youd appreciate make that guidance very clear when someone's looking at an sba loan. need to know what limitations they will be under in the future. it needs to be clearer. >> i agree there was confusion. we have absolutely worked with your office. raised this before, to that. clarify >> thank you. deputy mayor holloway, we've yoman's working on so many infrom a fra structure issues -- issues.ucture but there's still enormous challenges for homeowners. while fema caps the payment at very few people receive the

full payout. their home might have been destroyed and their eligible for grant $8,000. so while we do our best, it's homeownersfor these to rebuild. and in fact, there are families that are still homeless a year unit. that'-- a year out. that's horrible. island,zy point, staton the rock aways, how quickly do get tonk cdgb money will homeowners? what percentage have received any? >> each of those areas having workedere many times and with particularly in breezy point the homeowners association, we have done a lot advance building. it's not only getting the money. it's being able to actually build. things in the ground. so we've been able to advance that. in terms of fema recovery that really is a case-by-case determination of ther assessment of what damage is. we now have 26,000 families that signed up for build it

back. and we are in some stage of financial assessment for them. so as secretary donovan said, money is money of last resort, which means that you have to do an insurance verification, figure out whether they got any other fema money, any funds from any other sources. we're working closely with insurance companies. but we have 1400 request for verification from one company in particular that hadn't been met. this process,s in which we're not opposed to in any way because you do have to sure that the dollars are going to people who actually need it, but they do take time. i think we have had some cdbg money flow, but i will say is not satisfied that it's gotten to enough people yet. i think you will see -- i'm will see --u between now and the end of the year we will begin to ramp up to then ultimately thousands who will be getting funding. >> thank you. let me address some of the red mayor is probably

experiencing with regard to administrator few gate. -- few gate. fema worked with these throats submit project worksheets which eligible for reimbursement. over the last year many of these project worksheets have still been paid. and these delays have cause the to theback -- setbacks projectprojects. do you know how many project worksheets fema is process and what the anticipated time frame around is?ng those >> it depends upon the project. toroject worksheet is a tool determine what's damaged and what's going to be needed to repairs. we have prioritized working with the state. some of the first projects we're be -- were going to be all debris and all of the emergency costs that were expended. oute were dollars that went the door immediately. so as we've been going through that, we have to have to demonstrate the cost so that we can satisfy the theirements that they did

work. it was expended. and we reimbursed that. out most of the emphasis has been on the initial cost. there are some that were still either needing more documentation -- and if you got specifics, we'll working on them. the rebuilding piece of those project worksheets is going to take more time. get in the permanent work, we have several different tools we're trying to use to speed this process up. we still have to work through the processes to ensure is this over 50%, are we going to be abl to mitigate thi? and what is the longer term requirements to build. >> thank you. for assistant secretary darcy, obviously long island is so important. people are very concerned about the time it's taking for the stabilization projects within study to be started and to know when these emergency stabilization projects will be done. give a quick update about where we are on that process? to --n the fire island

>> correct. >> we have begun doing some of wasemergency response which part of the rebuilding what was there. reviewingcurrently the fire island to montauk point as i mentioned. but un-- anrized authorize but unconstructed project. we have to look at that time to make sure it's in today's sea and climate change lens that we're look through and building to the right dimensions. we're committed to doing some expedited review processes for projects.se >> thank you very much, senator booker. we'll probably have time for another round if there's available questions. >> i just want to say, again, this you for holding hearing. i have a lot of affection for you even though we've only been days.gues for six [laughter] born from thefection is fact that you know what it's like to be a mayor and the difficulties you have grappling with the real issues on the every single day. people don't know what a secretary's number is. they don't know what a but theyr's number is

know where you live. it's something that i take very, very seriously. i just want to say to the panel assembled, i'm grateful that you're here. here for six days. i still have that new senator smell, i'm told. i've had a chance to deal with the secretary on multiple occasion as mayor. think the obama administration has many stars and frankly none of them shine brighter than you do. the frustration my office already has is that we are ofling with lots and lots people who feel the sense of discontent, ill at ease, frustration. and a lot of stories. and we're unraveling them. assembled here has been incredible with my office. meeting look forward to with you and bringing a lot of the individual concerns that were not necessarily necessary go through here because you've made yourself so available. i'm sure, and i expect, i'm sure toan expect, the ability meet with all of you as i deal with what is a sense of urgency office.

shaun, excuse me, secretary donovan -- thank you very much. you can call me cory. i know the best thing about you is that your head is with the atire state but you married new jerseyan, so your heart is with new jersey i'm sure. >> as your colleague says, i married up. >> yes. most exceptionally. office, and wey plan on spending time in the district over this next month meeting with a lot of families many of them don't know who to call. they're so frustrated. they don't feel like they can government anymore. they've gone through some of the .ed tape and gotten nowhere as we stood -- two points to make. hopingchairperson, i'm that we can do more of these as a recovery continues. this is to the going to be twoshed in a month, in months, in five months. but this is very good as awe move forward. on that, i will sell you one of the goals of this committee and another committee the rolesir is one of the senate should do more of is oversight so we're not waiting but sixisis to occur

months from now or a year from now we're going is have these conversations baugh we want to keep track of how it's going. and if there's legislative and regulatory changes, we should be trying to do that in concert. the idea is to have oversight to bork with -- work with agencies improve what they're doing and make sure people are what they thought they were getting. >> my hope -- >> that shouldn't count geeps time -- against your time. i'm telling that to the staff, the clock holder. >> senate is a generous finding.on i'm >> he is new. >> the point is that sense of urgency you get from being a mayor is the sense of urg urgeny we're going to treat this with.m we have challenging counties on the western shore of new jersey who feel they've been left out of this equation, who feel like there's everything from debris still in bodies of water to destroyed.l so my hope with everybody is we ,et up our internal benchmarks that we'll be able to touch base

over a regular period of time to make sure that your professionals are operating with that constant sense of urgency and driving your teams as hard meet the needs of the state of new jersey. in the 90 seconds i have my friend, again, a when we have respect, stood together just about two weeks ago when i was still senator-elect, we talked about the next tranche being released. it was interesting. heard from the mayor's assembly and some individual hope isions so my there's going to be a third tranche. to you've done a lot expedite funding compared to what happened in previous -- you brought it to a whole new level. concern is, it still doesn't seem fast enough. secretary donovan in the few seconds i have remaining, could you just talk generally about things you're doing to further expedite it and help me understand your expectation on that third so critical. is

>> thank you for your leadership in newark as well. .he city is much stronger many family that would not have gotten help without your leadership i have know there is still pain there. but thank you for your leadership. i know you're going to bring the same energy to the senate as well. i think the problem with talking about these is this is blocking and tackling hundreds of small that are made a-- decision that are made along the way. orould give you a list of 20 30 key changes that we've made that have made a difference. was someexample, there cruel irony that anyone who started rebuilding themselves wouldn't then be eligible for cdbg help. we changed that with urging for many of your colleagues so that now somebody can get reimbursed. that's just one small example. historic preservation reviews in the environmental. we followed on with fema's good made a programmatic

agreement that sped that up. so there are hundreds of small things like that. the areas where i would say big picture are most insurance the process. not just on flood insurance and having enough reviewers and other things in a very, very dense area like new york or new but also getting sodowner policies align that families can know -- often they get their insurance. then they can't even get access because their bank is there. and that's something we've worked on. i think that's critical. and then the environmental reviews. the committee did something very important in giving us the authority. when fema puts money into a project to just accept their environmental review, we don't any that authority for other agency. it's something we think legislatively ought to be done. that's an example. happy to provide you a longer list. >> ok. thank you. >> i'll get back if you're able to stay. we'll give you another round. but senator schumer?

>> thank you. the first question is to secretary a-- assistant darcy.ry i'm really worried about more the wayacy getting in .f doing rock away, fire island one of the problems we ever as omb, even though we gave the secretary the authority to approve general reevaluation reports, without extra review by omb, they seem to be demanding review. about this.omb we've talked about it. but i'm really worried about getting in the way of both the fimp study and east rock to rockaway inlet. if they have to review everything, it's going to slow things down too much. that gives me worry about another storm. could you tell us what's view,ing, what's your your candid view, of o.m.b.'s shall i say meddling here?

and what we can do to speed things up. doing,thing that we're senator schumer, with both the limited reevaluation reports as the general reevaluation reports is we're having monthly with c.e.q. and o.m.b. with our division commander me, to give them a status report on a monthly basis ofwhere we are on each these -- of the 18 projects that you're referring to that were in thatnterim two report so we can all know what the status where we are so that that will help to speed that review. it will be ongoing before there's even a final product. -- i's my understanding was probably the lead author of this legislation -- that we o.m.b. approval for were alreadyat authorized like fimp are they seeking such approval and is it the way?

i don't mind your consulting with them. that's fine with me. senator,s stage, those -- a say -- we're going to be consulting with them and reviewing this. law as itl follow the was. tooo -- without being confrontational to your dear friends, you're agreeing with me that the law does not require their approval? >> that's correct. >> thank you. very good answer. [laughter] >> that was a perfect answer. not sure i feel comfortable about it. [laughter] >> yeah. perfect from this side of the table. >> let me just say if i can, senator schumer, your honesty forthrightness is greatly appreciated. >> right. ok. to --t we're going >> i can feel it. secretary -- another -- i mean it. guyguys have done -- you and gals have done a very good

job. rochester.rom so that explains a lot of it. two questions. when can we expect an announcement of the remaining f.t.a. emergency relief funds? and more importantly, federal behway relief money cannot used for mitigation, like on ocean parkway. that's why we turn to other help us with ocean parkway. but, are you considering using any of your authority to use f.t.a. money for resiliency on other transportation modes? do that should you wish, as i understand it. it wasn't used on ocean parkway but it should be in other places on long island and in new york city. that.e a little about >> you're correct, senator. first, the authority exists under the act for the secretary to another money

mode. first to answer your question on of transitanche money -- again, that's the single biggest need in the transportation network. well know. we have a notice of funding availability that's in internal review right now. we will have that completed very quickly. for $3 billion, specifically awarded on a merit resiliency projects. we will coordinate it with the taskforce by, for example, making sure that we have corps, reviewersand other looking at that from a systems perspective to make sure -- $3 billion is a fraction of the niedermayered out there. -- of the need, needed out there the transit network. the thinking is also there are real projects that may fall into category. there are shared facilities of,h you're well aware substation 4 is it, an amtrak-owned but serves both new transit and inner city

passenger rail. and either through the award directly or through the secretary's transfer authority, be real projects. we do not anticipate going and inner city passenger rail projects with that. >> right i have just hope you'll an open mind with the remaining $2 billion in terms of authority using your to transfer so we can build better to avoid the next storm. very important. >> resiliency will be our focus and we know given the vulnerability of the whole network.ation but in particular, the transit system -- and what we know about sea level rise, for example, we have a lot of work to do. >> you bet. could i ask one more question your indulgence? >> almost time for a second round. this goes to first mr. holloway and then shaun donovan of as is news.s, it's not homeowners are complaining they're not getting the money .uickly enough there are all kinds of reasons

for that. as i said, i think the second going to be much, much happier with the money's in ing.pipeline and flow the spigot is open. but what, in your opinion, i'm sureway -- and this would be true for your colleagues in long island and well -- is the biggest red tape problem getting in the way of aid to homeowners and projects at the federal level? >> i'll start by saying that there's been a lot of red tape that previously had existed up.'s been cleared so that has been tremendous. is a challenge, cdbg is essentially the backstop, it is a challenge to get to the backstop. >> right. >> now, that is not to say that hud's issue,sarily but getting verification from insurance companies, getting

everybody's financial conditions order is very challenging to do. to say what would relieve that issue, figuring out the right kind of way without up the specter of duplication of benefits and all of those things which have a lot of the creation of a lot of process to basically get enough data to say, ok, we're pretty sure we're good -- that -- you know, we can give you some portion of funding even if you're not at the end of the verification process. i know that would be difficult do. but that's the challenge. >> and, yes, a lot of that -- we to pay when insurance has already paid. would you agree that, shaun? donovan? >> i think it is absolutely the center of many of the things that appear as red tape to homeowners whether they're

necessary or just, frankly, unnecessary delays. one of the things that as we started to work through this my team began developing is call a program in a box. one of the problems that you state orhat each locality developing particularly smaller localities, new york city has as high capacity. i'm a little biased here. but as high capacity as any city the country. but for many of the smaller hitunities that have been to create a brand new program, to figure out how to do these other things is a major barrier. so what weaver' begun to work -- is a begun to working on program in a box where literally we could say here's the model, it and it will allow you to move faster. i don't think that takes care of all the issues. but it certainly could remove some of the unnecessary red tape. and then i think it's worth thinking about on duplication of benefits are there things that we could do to simplify and streamline that while still not running afoul of

basically subsidizing insurance companies. >> thank you, mr. chairman. thank you, senator booker. >> thank you very much. couple of quicks ones and then to senator booker. as -- dawned on me in your testimony you mentioned the impact of sequestration to some of the this next round we're about to hit, the cr and sequestrationtial if we can't get a budget, will that have an impact on the have?onal resources you i don't know -- >> generally speaking, senator, reductionne-time of -- so specifically for the a 5%illion, it was reduction down to 15.2. that's pretty much across the board. >> that's -- ok. good. i can ask i can, if you a question, you had reporting process that aren't in place. someou going to prepare at

point or you could prepare, i guess, for this committee, kind what those items would recommend to ensure that at transparency more in reporting of how the expenditures are being done so people like yourself and others can review them in a more accurate way? and if that is done by or legislation. that's the first question. second questio have you in whate looking at and uncovered any questions or hot that might say here's an area we better be looking at today in regards to some of expenditures. and if the answer is yes to that, is that occurring? last question make sense? >> yes. mr. chairman, we're happy to information on specific recommendations that we would make. but just to sort of give you -- one thing we really learned from recovery is the public is very iserested in where money going, really specifically where it is going and what it's being for.

a lot of our impetus, you know, ofon transparency information. easy fix to usn to do what the federal base alreadyata does, which is when a hurricane or a special event hits, they special code. and why can't we do that on usa spending so that we know what on website is being spent for hurricane sandy? us.ust seems easy to >> what's the response? >> it had to be something done right out of the box. doisn't something we can now. it isn't something -- >> let me pause you there. >> please. >> we have four agencies here. >> yes. >> so your statement is a good statement. question ifere's my i can pause you for a second to the four agencies. system now or a into the knew tour -- future -- assume there's no disaster

coming, would be a mistake. there will be one at some point. can you do this simple system here? >> senator, let me address because we have been working with the recovery accountability and transparency board on this. set up a system to collect data. website available monthly with information on spending. i think the issue is not that we can't do that. to get to the level of detail and information requires additional steps sox we do fact, it wasin parted of our sandy recovery taskforce report, that we ought to have a legislative requirement for future appropriations like that we a project management officen that there are data requirements -- regulativeeed a requirement? why don't you just do it? answer is that

because -- the extent of work get to that to reporting. it means inserting in hundreds the federalcross government particular lines or codes. is not something you can do overnight. to jump in.he wants can we go back? >> well, i don't know. to not knowing the mechanics of what happens on the federal procurement data system. every contract let by the thatnment, it's a system g.s.a. has set up in the federal procurement data system that you a box thatt fill in says, yes, this is a hurricane sandy. national interest action code, i think it is called. i think we're really talking about something that i think usa spending itself could generate. know if it has to mean changes to thousands of agency's feeding data.

i know that the hud taskforce and they doood job have a website that does discuss spending. very highit's at a level. and the secretary is right that what we're really talking about much more granular. now, usa spending has some of that. know, it that, you does not separately capture or you can't, you know, search by, what's a code for hurricane sandy. there's no reason why the major portal we have for federal that.ng can't do i don't think -- i'm not a person who can tell you what the having thate of done. but i think it can be done without actually legislation, i think. there just has to be a decision made to do it. that. me hold you at i've run out of time. let me ask you that last -- .irst part of the question can you produce for the committee that shopping list? >> absolutely.

>> ok. would you submit that? and if you can indicate if you think it's regulatory or legislative so that can help us do a little understanding of what we can do here or what we can press to have happen. will. >> fantastic. senator booker for your next round. take toll yays in the fact that this -- take solis in the fact that this committee as will have hearings in the future. obviously this is probably one two storms that had a has hit our country in the last century in terms of its impact, damage, and cost. especially in our region in the region, whichrsey -- this ishe most obviously something of great concern. not just to our region but to the country as a whole. mark for the record my gratitude that everyone shook their heads up and down about to meet withness

me and work with my office as we try to tackle these problems. bring up --g i'll and i know i'm looking forward gateeting with mr. few and -- fugate and discuss this issue. i guess i'm confused. the municipal level things don't make sense. but national level, i'm sure rational here in washington. has chilled my understanding of what's going to happen to my region when the insurance rates go so up, it's going to devastate, devastate areas of new jersey. not only it will affect homers on being but they won't even abible to sell their homes. who's going to buy their homes high insurance levels? for my understanding, just my into thisto dig personally, when bigger waters to do at required fema study about the insurance kwreu78ility and the

pact on the region. it seems like a critical thing before you allow the phasing in high these incredibly insurance rates that we would know sort of what we're going to do to that legion. guess -- a matter of the record for now and something we could get into more when we you let me understand what's going on with that study and what it really devastatinghe this could have to regions like mine? >> yes. was to move towards an insurance sound program that would encourage private sector participation because we would no longer subsidize rates below value. there were many pieces to that. generally when you would see would tien that specific action before further action would go, the language would have been written so that affordability study would have been requirement before you went to the next steps. the way the legislation was was all done con currently. so the phase-in was not tied to

an affordability being done. it was affordability study to be but not hold up any of the other implementations. i think this is the area we've and worked. senator menendez asked for drafting assistance that the that we wereng given and time frames -- we wasn't to the we went to the national academy of science. they informed us they could not complete the study. that even seem rational to you to let the phasing in understanding how the study is completed? >> the ability to not phase in permitted in the legislation. there were certain time frames that we were required to implement those phase-ins to start moving towards actually ago we hadyear already done secondary hoaxes, commercial-- homes, and repetitive loss. the next steps were for those subsidized,rrently phase them in over a period of time. and then the one that's causing the most immediate problem,

there is a very limited phase in. of these changes were predicated upon when the legislation was passed, you had certain time frames to get that done. and the only delays was the regulatory process of implementing those rules for that. the affordability study, although still required, again, technical the drafting assistance that we need to be able to expend the funds, of national academy sciences, would be required and allow the time frames they stated it would be allowed. then postpone the increases for those areas until that study done. >> that sounds like a recommendation. it makes sense to do the study. the study right now is not being done, nor do we have the money the study yet we're still moving forward with the phasing in in. it sounds like you're saying thing to do,able to do it right, to actually understand -- to do the study, allocate whatever resources are necessary so we understand and don't fly into this blind and hurt a lot of people.

>> again, understand that as the legislation was signed into law, implementing the law. as it's been designed. whenis an area that senator mendez and the previous hearing that i testified on flood insurance, he specifically to supports technical drafting assistance. and that is exactly what we've on. working how do we make insurance o so we don't subsidize risks beyond which there's a return of taxpayer?it but the intended goal should not to be place people out of their homes because we make insurance so unaffordable. >> i understand that i guess what i'm missing is the link. i'll talk to the senator about this. i guess i'm missing a link. in other words, you've provided the technical assistance. not done.till >> it still requires legislative this to behange signed into law. as we understand the law, we given any flexibility in implementing the time frames regulations done

that the affordability study was were note increases dependent upon affordable study being done. it was written in such a way being done all concurrent. >> you're saying it's on the legislature to act in order for way it be done the should be done. time, weestified last have not found any way to delay those implementations without at of congress giving us of ability to suspend some those increases until such time as an affordability studsy is done. >> we're rushing forward with this not knowing the impact that's going to have, not knowing if we've struck the balance. that to me just seems a million damaging.ong and would you agree? >> i would agree that i've don't addresse affordability, our risk is we're not going to be able to move this program to a sound basis. we'll subsidize risk being, encourage growth and development where we should be building that way. put people out of

their homes. so there is a balance that has atbe struck between looking at ad forrability but -- at affordability but not risk at such a low rate we increase vulnerabilities. we have got to change how we're building. but it should not be at the expense of people in their homes, forcing them out. but understand that long-term we have got to look at how do we build in coastal communities in such eh way that people's homes are not threatened every time we face a storm. >> i agree with you. frustrating thing for me is, you've got to know before you go. thee acting without having knowledge base necessary to make sound decisions. ad we could end up with situation profoundly devastati devastating. could just -- two points. this is an issue the administration raised when bigger waters was passed. in our statement of administration policy, we raise fact that there was not an affordability provision that would allow us to protect folks. raised in thewe

sandy taskforce report. to echo craig's point that this is something to act on without undermining what is an important in making the program snag doesn't encourage development in places. i think it's important we strike that balance. we could get some authority to start doing this even before the affordability work is done if we could correctly with you to get the right legislation. >> i would agree. colleagues from new york as well as the chairman probably would agree with that as well. thank you. much.nk you very let me add to that and then close this hearing. we have a piece of legislation, know, that's pending. i'm hopeful that you have reviewed that legislation that implementation based on the affordability study done. i would ask if you have not input on that, at least to

have tomittee, you may individual members. i would greatly appreciate that. what you're experiencing, ofator booker is a piece legislation that was not crafted well. it was crafted with a good but there is piece of the equation that was discovered after the fact that now we're trying to fix. problem is, the administration is bound by the go through they must through. if we went back in time, i bet be a different discussion going on knowing the facts we know today. but we are in this quandary. we a bill pending. senator mendez. i'm a co-sponsor. is to partially unwrap this to get us to the anordability study, get to affordability of rates, and then deal with the rate structure has to be reform. i think the administrators made it very clear. and everyone knows this. reform but wee have to get to the affordability and also the timetable. it's one of these pieces of you lookon that when

at it today, you go, why didn't we fill in the blank. thewe're trying to fill in blank but clock is work much faster for them to administer versus us legislatively. there is a pending bill. we're anxious to try to find a to move it. senate has a version. house has no version as far as we know right now. me say for the record we'll stay open until november 21 for additional questions that and submit tove the committee. i do want to thank the panel. usually we break panels into two. because of all the uniqueness and experiences you all have, it was important table. you all at the thank you for being here. thank you for being part of this hearing. then, to senator booker and other folks from new jersey and new york that were here, we will efforts to follow this and make sure we're on the right track with the expenditures and activity with it's aecause i think good learning opportunity to make sure we improve our system. thank you all for being here. committee isappreciate t. the

adjourned.joern >> what's the most important issue congress should consider in 2014? that's the question for middle and high school students in our student cam video competition. make a five to seven-minute documentary that shows varying points of view and includes c-span video for your chance to win the grand prize of $5,000. and this year we doubled the number of winners and total prizes. entries must be in by january 20, 2014. need more information? go to studentcam.org. >> richard cordray, the head of the consumer financial protection bureau, is interviewed this morning by politico on consumer protection priorities. you can see it live starting at :10 a.m. eastern on c-span2.

>> unlike ike, who grew up in a poor family of all sons, mamie was from a well-to-do family of all daughters. she attend a finishing school, and we have her report card from denver, colorado. while she got a b in english, she actually got a c minus in european history. who knew in later years, as a military wife and future first lady, that she would be so well traveled and have so much to do with european history. mamie liked charm. and early on, ike bought her this west point football charm showing the army and navy game scores from 1913 to 1914 when ike was coach for the army football team. as a military wife, mamie took great pride in creating a home for ike in each of the 36 different places that they lived throughout their

marriage. >> watch our program on first lady mamie eisenhower at our website, c-span.org/firstlady or see it saturday at 7:00 p.m. eastern. our series continues live monday as we look at first lady jacqueline kennedy. >> today on c-span, "washington journal" examines renewable energy. and later, at 11:00 a.m. eastern, the senate foreign relations committee considers three state department ominees. geman 0 minutes, ben and nick juliano define different types of renewable energy and discuss the politics shaping the industry. at 8:20 eastern, michael brune, sierra club executive director, talks about administrative policy like climate change and the keystone oil pipeline. at 9:00 a.m., joseph desmond of brightsource energy explains

the u.s. solar industry. and at 9:30, elizabeth salerno of the american wind energy association looks at a report of the wind industry slowdown. ♪ host: good morning, everyone. thursday, november 7. the armed services committee will hear from the army chief of staff and the marine corps commandant about the impact of automatic spending cuts on national defense. live coverage at 9:30 a.m. eastern on c-span3. the epa holds a public listening session on the ways to relieve emission.carbon go to c-span. orc for coverage. sticking with the environment this morning on "washington journal