A large majority of Americans say federal aid in times of disaster does not need to be offset by cuts to other programs, according to a
Washington Post/Pew Research Center poll.
The poll of 1,005 people, conducted May 23-26, found that 59 percent of respondents said offsets are unnecessary; 29 percent said they are.
The minority mirrored the position of Republican Sen. Tom Coburn, who took a lot of heat last week when he said aid to his fellow Oklahomans, ravaged by a huge tornado last week, should be paid for by making cuts elsewhere. Coburn has long held that position, even in the wake of other natural disasters.
Breaking it down by party, 69 percent of Democrats said they see no need for offsets when it comes to disaster aid, compared to 23 percent who disagreed. Among Republicans, 52 percent said offsets are unnecessary, while 36 percent disagreed. Among independents, 57 percent said offsets were not needed and 29 percent said they were.
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