JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) - Joplin's mayor says he appreciates efforts in Washington to get the economy in order, but he's worried about how that will affect his city as it tries to rebuild from a devastating May tornado.
The Senate on Friday blocked a House-approved bill that would have funded federal agencies and provided $3.7 billion in disaster aid for places like Joplin and areas hit by Hurricane Irene.
Joplin Mayor Mike Woolston says he thinks Congress eventually will approve a deal to help the hardest-hit areas, but there's no telling when that will happen, or how much money will be available.
Some of the city's most immediate needs are to replace the stock of working-class homes and to help businesses get up and running again so people can get back to work.