U.S. Senate Approves Bill With Vt. Flood Aid

(Host) The U.S. Senate has given its approval to legislation that will substantially reduce Vermont's financial liability to repair roads and bridges damaged by tropical storm Irene.

The legislation includes two important waivers for Vermont.

One removes a $100 million cap on federal highway emergency funding. Without this waiver, Vermont could face an additional $130 million in repair costs to the state's transportation infrastructure. The second allows repair work to continue beyond a six month period.

Speaking on the Senate floor Tuesday afternoon, Senator Patrick Leahy said the damages from Irene were extensive:

(Leahy) "Hurricane Irene was devastating to our small state of Vermont. This flood and the flash floods caused by the storm destroyed homes and farms, businesses, bridges and roads. Things that had stood for over a century were wiped out in a matter of minutes."

(Host) Leahy told his colleagues that Congress has routinely lifted the funding cap many times in the past and should do so again in this case:

(Leahy) "But we do need federal disaster recovery loans and grants to help those whose lives were upturned by Irene. Federal disaster recovery aid has always been available to other states after something like this. We need it now in Vermont."

(Host) The legislation also allows heavier trucks to travel on Vermont's Interstate system in an effort to get these trucks away from a number of downtown areas.

The measure will now be considered by a House - Senate conference committee.