"The federal government might have enough money in its emergency coffers to help tornado-ravaged Oklahoma without Congress having to pass another contentious disaster response bill, the Senate's top Democrat said yesterday."

"Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told reporters he wasn't immediately considering legislation to help finance cleanup and recovery from the massive tornado that hit Oklahoma City and its suburbs earlier this week, killing at least 24 people.

"Right now, we don't need the money," the Nevada Democrat said.

Much of the Federal Emergency Management Agency budget for the year is still available, and the Oklahoma tornado damaged a relatively small area compared with disasters like last year's Superstorm Sandy."

Jean Chemnick reports for E&E Daily May 22, 2013. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Inhofe: Tornado Aid 'Totally Different' From Hurricane Sandy Aid" (Washington Post) [3]

"Senator Jim Inhofe: Oklahoma Tornado Aid Will Be 'Totally Different' From Sandy Aid" (Huffington Post) [4]