Hurricane Recovery Assistance Highlights

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By The Associated Press
Monday, December 19, 2005; 5:07 PM

Highlights of $29 billion in hurricane recovery assistance included in a defense spending bill that the House passed Monday:

-- $11.5 billion for the Community Development Block Grant to spur economic development.

-- $4.4 billion for expenses and damage incurred by the Defense Department.

-- $2.9 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers to continue storm and flood repairs, begin reconstructing levees and accelerate studies on improving Gulf Coast flood protection.

-- $2.8 billion to repair damaged roads, bridges and other transportation infrastructure.

-- $1.6 billion for education, including $645 million for schools that took in students, $750 million for schools affected by the hurricanes and $200 million for higher education.

-- $618 million for rural communities, including $200 million to help farmers and ranchers rehabilitate farmland.

-- $441 million for Small Business Administration disaster loans.

-- $350 million to repair damaged NASA facilities and equipment.

-- $285 million for expenses and damaged incurred by the Homeland Security Department.

-- $125 million for state and local law enforcement agencies.

AP-ES-12-19-05 0956EST