New Congressional Push for Katrina Recovery

[Wayward Episcopalian]

Finally, some good political news for Katrina recovery efforts! House Democrats presented a plan today to waive a Stafford Act requirement that local and state governments pay matching funds for disaster relief for governments affected by Hurricane Katrina. These funds were waived following 9/11 and Hurricane Andrew, and waiving them now will save the state of Louisiana $700 million. An additional $3.6 billion will in aid will be tacked on to an Iraq/Afghanistan spending bill. Kudos to House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC). There’s a good editorial in today’s Boston Globe about the renewed push.

Unfortunately, the real problem with the federal response to Katrina isn’t a lack of funding, it’s a lack of oversight. As I wrote about earlier this month, the official homeowner grant program has $7.5 billion to distribute – but out of 101,000 applicants, only 632 have been paid as of February 12. The “Road Home” program has been in full operation since October – why so slow? Why so many errors? And of the $350 million for “alternative housing” that FEMA shelled out last month, why did Mississippi get $280.8 million to Louisiana’s $74.5 million?

Hopefully increased oversight and accountability will accompany the increased funding. Senator Joe Liebermann’s (I-CT) Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and Rep. Barney Franks’ (D-MA) House Financial Services Committee have both opened investigations into issues surrounding Katrina recovery. I say huzzah, it’s a good start.

[rudy23]

1. Even Lieberman's committee?

Wow, that's great news.

I'm sure he's still going to lay off those "embarassing emails" coming out of the White House in the days after the storm hit.

I wish they'd also investigate the anti-New Orleans propaganda that's been littering cable news, talk radio, and viral emails, and adding to our misery.

[Wayward Episcopalian]

2. Liebermann

Yup. Liebermann, Landrieu, and Obama held a Committee meeting in New Orleans itself, and Obama took a personal tour of the city. I was a little dissapointed in the hearing's witness list, but it was a first step. Read about it here: http://waywardepiscopalian.blogspot.com/2007/01/senate-committee-holds-hearings-in-new.html

Not a lot a Committee can do about pundits and e-mails. 'Tis freedom of misused and abused speech. All we can do is try to counter the slime ourself. It's messy work, but then again, so is being a nurse or a soldier.