Dean: Two Years Later, Bush Administration Incompetence Remains
Dean: Two Years Later, Bush Administration Incompetence Remains
Two years ago, Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana and Mississippi, one of the worst natural disasters in the history of America. In the weeks and months following the disaster, the Bush White House and Republican-led Congress did little to help the survivors of Katrina, despite Democratic efforts to do so. Democrats took action just seven months after taking control of Congress, working to make sure the people of the Gulf Coast had the resources needed to rebuild the region. The reconstruction efforts are far from over, and Democrats are committed to getting the people of Louisiana and Mississippi the resources they need to finish the job.
On the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina hitting the Gulf Coast, Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement:
"Two years ago, while President Bush strummed a guitar at a California fundraiser and Heck-of-a-Job Brownie had his back turned, the people of Louisiana and Mississippi stood on their roofs and fought for their lives," said Dean. "Americans watched the Bush Administration's inaction after Katrina with horror, not believing that our government was capable of this kind of incompetence and indifference.
"Yet two years later, people are still suffering, and the Bush White House's incompetence remains. Just a few weeks ago we learned that the Bush Administration knowingly left Katrina survivors in toxic trailers. When does this stop? The people of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast deserve better and are still waiting for help.
"Democrats are fighting for those who have suffered after Katrina and won't stop until all survivors are able to rebuild their lives. But the struggle is far from over, and electing a Democratic president in 2008 is the only way to ensure the federal government makes the people of Gulf Coast a priority and that our government never lets our citizens down like this again."
CONGRESSIONAL DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR THE GULF COAST AND SURVIVORS OF HURRICANE KATRINA
Democrats Sent $6.4 Billion To The Region In The First Seven Months In The Majority. In the first seven months with a Democratic majority, Congress has sent more than $6.4 billion to the region - $3 billion more than President Bush's request - for significant initiatives such as helping schools recover, bolstering levees, and maintaining health facilities. [http://democraticwhip.house.gov/new_direction_gulf_coast/]
Democrats Waived Requirement For Local Matching Funds. The Democratic Congress has "waived the local matching requirement under the Stafford Act...saving the region $1.9 billion and allowing work to begin on 20,000 stalled projects." [http://democraticwhip.house.gov/new_direction_gulf_coast/]
Democrats Asked Hard Questions And Initiated Oversight Hearings. Congress, under a Democratic majority, has held more than 30 hearings to ask the hard questions about the response to and recovery from Hurricane Katrina. [http://democraticwhip.house.gov/new_direction_gulf_coast/]
