Houston, TX – Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a senior member of the House Committees on Homeland Security and Judiciary, and Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security and Investigations issued the following statement about the massive aid package she intends to push for to help Texans recover from Hurricane Harvey:

“Right now, millions of people are reeling from the effects of one of the most catastrophic storms ever to strike the Texas Gulf Coast. Hurricane Harvey toppled buildings and leveled homes in Houston, and continues to dump huge amounts of water that have inundated large portions of our nation’s fourth largest city.

“Sadly, one of Houston’s finest, a police officer, lost his life in the raging waters while on his way to protect and serve members of the community. And a family of six including small children perished when the van they were traveling in plunged into Greens Bayou. My thoughts and prayers are with all of those who have lost their lives, and with their loved ones nursing emotional wounds that may never fully heal.

“Making the Texas Gulf Coast whole again will require a massive and coordinated effort spanning the course of many years. After meeting with state, local and federal officials, I am convinced that the amount of aid needed for this effort will be north of $150 billion.

“As we did following Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, Americans must once again come together with compassion and care. The President has said that Texas will have everything it needs. Moving forward, I remain hopeful that Trump will deliver on his words.”