Storm relief needed

That the Congress failed to approve disaster relief for the victims of Hurricane Sandy is not only unconscionable, it is fiscally irresponsible. Hard-working, tax-paying Americans lost their homes and possessions through no fault of their own, yet are given no aid by their government.

The GOP-led Congress, including our representative, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, promised to make jobs a priority, and funding this much needed relief effort would put thousands of Americans to work rebuilding the infrastructure destroyed by the storm. This is simply supply-and-demand economics.

But banks cannot and will not lend them money to rebuild without guarantees from the governments. Forcing these people to continue to ask for food and shelter, the most basic of human needs, also strips them of their dignity. Haven’t these people suffered enough?

We must insist that Congress pass disaster relief funding now.

Gail Cory-Betz

Newport