Yesterday, on a straight party vote, the Senate refused to create a Katrina investigation commission. See "Straight party vote kills Clinton amendment to form Katrina commission" -
Today, the rethugs are pushing HR437, which, if passed, would form a biased commission that would whitewash, at best.
The Dems, lead by Louise Slaughter :yourock:, are pushing for a bi-partisan commission, equally divided (independent commission).
Debate is proceeding on the House floor now. The rethug spin is :puke: sickening.
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c109:1:./temp/~c109wTVl9q::HRES 437 IH
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 437
To establish the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 14, 2005
Mr. DREIER submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Rules, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
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RESOLUTION
To establish the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina.
Resolved,
SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT.
There is hereby established the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina (hereinafter referred to as the `select committee').
SEC. 2. COMPOSITION.
(a) The select committee shall be composed of 20 members appointed by the Speaker, of whom 9 shall be appointed after consultation with the Minority Leader. The Speaker shall designate one Member as chairman.
(b)(1) The Speaker and the Minority Leader shall be ex officio members of the select committee but shall have no vote in the select committee and may not be counted for purposes of determining a quorum.
(2) The Speaker and the Minority Leader each may designate a leadership staff member to assist in their capacity as ex officio members, with the same access to select committee meetings, hearings, briefings, and materials as employees of the select committee and subject to the same security clearance and confidentiality requirements as staff of the select committee.
SEC. 3. INVESTIGATION AND REPORT.
The select committee is authorized and directed to conduct a full and complete investigation and study and to report its findings to the House not later than February 15, 2006, regarding--
(1) the development, coordination, and execution by local, State, and Federal authorities of emergency response plans and other activities in preparation for Hurricane Katrina; and
(2) the local, State, and Federal government response to Hurricane Katrina.
SEC. 4. PROCEDURE.
Rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives, including the items referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2), shall apply to the select committee:
(1) Clause 2(j)(1) of rule XI (guaranteeing the minority additional witnesses).
(2) Clause 2(m)(3) of rule XI (providing for the authority to subpoena witnesses and documents).
SEC. 5. JOINT OPERATIONS.
The chairman of the select committee, in conducting the investigation and study described in section 3, shall consult with the chairman of a Senate committee conducting a parallel investigation and study regarding meeting jointly to receive testimony, the scheduling of hearings or issuance of subpoenas, and joint staff interviews of key witnesses.
SEC. 6. STAFF; FUNDING.
(a)(1) To the greatest extent practicable, the select committee shall utilize the services of staff of employing entities of the House. At the request of the chairman in consultation with the ranking minority member, staff of employing entities of the House or a joint committee may be detailed to the select committee to carry out this resolution and shall be deemed to be staff of the select committee.
(2) The chairman, upon consultation with the ranking minority member, may employ and fix the compensation of such staff as the chairman considers necessary to carry out this resolution.
(b) There shall be paid out of the applicable accounts of the House $500,000 for the expenses of the select committee. Such payments shall be made on vouchers signed by the chairman and approved in the manner directed by the Committee on House Administration. Amounts made available under this subsection shall be expended in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Committee on House Administration.
SEC. 7. DISSOLUTION AND DISPOSITION OF RECORDS.
(a) The select committee shall cease to exist 30 days after filing the report required under section 3.
(b) Upon dissolution of the select committee, the records of the select committee shall become the records of any committee designated by the Speaker.
END
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