PoliGraph: Clark claim leaves out some key details
Since last month, Duluth-area residents have been struggling to bounce back from floods that ravaged homes, businesses and state parks essential to the region's tourism industry.
Tarryl Clark, who is running in the DFL primary next month to challenge Republican Rep. Chip Cravaack, used the flooding to underscore her belief that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) needs more funding - and that her potential opponent hasn't done much to help.
"While Congressman Cravaack has said he will help Duluth seek federal assistance since the flood, he repeatedly voted to cut funding for exactly the type of disaster relief that Duluth residents and business owners need so desperately," Clark said in a press statement.
Clark went on to say that it "shouldn't have taken a historic flood or an election to convince Congressman Cravaack that FEMA and disaster relief are worth funding."
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.
Clark's claim has some truth to it, but also leaves out important details.
The Evidence
Since the flooding, FEMA has been in the Minnesota news. Most recently, the agency said area residents would not get federal assistance to help rebuild their homes. Gov. Mark Dayton plans to appeal the decision, and Cravaack supports the appeal.
Clark says that Cravaack has voted against flood aid, particularly for homeowners. She points to three times Cravaack opposed such efforts.
But she's not telling the whole story about Cravaack's voting record on flood and disaster relief.
For instance, Clark points to a bill that extended the national flood insurance program. While the U.S. House considered the bill, Democrats proposed sending it back to committee to add new language that would allow homeowners to tap flood repair grants and protect homeowners who had previous flood damage from insurance premium increases.
Cravaack voted against that motion. In fact, such motions typically fall along party lines, as did this one. Ultimately, Cravaack voted for the entire bill as did many of his Republican and Democratic colleagues.
Clark points out that Cravaack voted against a similar Democratic motion during debate of a separate bill to add more funding for the Corps of Engineers Flood Control and Coast Emergencies. Again, Cravaack and his Republican colleagues opposed sending the bill back to committee. But Cravaack ultimately voted for the bill, which increased funding for the program.
Cravaack has also voted to protect other flood-related disaster assistance.
For instance, during debate of the Fiscal Year 2013 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Funding Bill, Cravaack voted against amendments to cut funding for the Community Development Block Grant Program, money that has been used to help cities, counties and states recover from flooding, among other disasters.
The Verdict
Clark's claim is not unfounded: on some occasions, Cravaack has voted against flood aid.
But Clark leaves out some important details. Though in two cases Cravaack voted against motions having to do with flood aid, Cravaack ultimately voted in favor of both pieces of the legislation, which extended or expanded flood-related programs.
And she also leaves out the important fact that Cravaack has voted against other efforts to cut disaster aid that is used to help with flood recovery. Because of that lack of key information, this claim is judged misleading.
SOURCES
Tarryl Clark, Clark Applauds Flood Response of Local Officials, Highlights Importance of FEMA Funding for recovery, jobs, July 19, 2012
Minnesota Public Radio, Dayton calls aid denial 'cruel and wrong', by Tom Scheck, July 26, 2012
Letter from FEMA, July 15, 2012
Roll Call Vote 561, Motion to Recommit, HR 1309, July 12, 2011
THOMAS, Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill, FY 2013, accessed July 27, 2012
Roll Call Vote, 341, Motion to Recommit, HR 5325, June 6, 2012
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Assistance, accessed July 27, 2012
H.R. 5972, Fiscal Year 2013 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Funding Bill, roll call vote Roll Call #433
H.R. 5972, Fiscal Year 2013 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Funding Bill, Roll Call #430
H.R. 5972, Fiscal Year 2013 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Funding Bill, Roll Call #434
Joe Fox, spokesman, Tarryl Clark, July 26, 2012
E-mail exchange, Michael Bars, spokesman, Rep. Chip Cravaack, July 26, 2012