Robert Wexler (D) Tells Bush To Fire FEMA's Brown

Robert Wexler's Office | 9-06-05 | Robert Wexler

[My Favorite Headache]

September 6, 2005

President George W. Bush The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear President Bush:

I am writing to renew my request that you remove Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response from his current position at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). When I first called for Under Secretary Brown's replacement, in the aftermath of Hurricanes Frances, it was undeniable that Under Secretary Brown had been responsible for a massive misallocation of recovery aid funds. Given the federal government's weak response in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and FEMA's failure to adequately address the catastrophe in New Orleans, I am even more convinced that Under Secretary Brown must be removed immediately.

Statements by Under Secretary Brown and FEMA officials that they would have been unable to anticipate or were justifiably ill-prepared to respond to a major hurricane hitting New Orleans are not plausible. As you well know, in 2001 FEMA cited this very disaster in New Orleans as a horrific possibility. It is a stain upon the record of FEMA and the Administration that the groundwork was not laid to prepare for a hurricane of this magnitude -- either as an advance plan from 2001 or in the days leading up to Katrina's landing when experts predicted it would hit the Gulf Coast as a Category 5 storm. As the director of FEMA, Under Secretary Brown should not only be in the business of responding to natural disasters, but should have put in place critical preventative measures and contingency plans that would have better enabled local, state and federal officials to respond to the physical destruction of Katrina as well as the humanitarian needs of millions of citizens in the region.

Last year in Florida, FEMA experienced some difficulties establishing an adequate supply chain to meet the needs of the all areas of Florida given the severity of the damage to such a significant portion of the state. Given the overall damage of the four hurricanes to hit Florida in succession, this failure to bring needed supplies may have been understandable; however, I said at the time that it was remarkable that FEMA is not set up to provide complete wide-spread assistance for a prolonged period of time as was required in the aftermath of Florida's hurricanes. What is more astonishing and totally unacceptable is that in the year since these devastating series of hurricanes barreled through Florida, FEMA did not undertake a comprehensive review of its overall disaster preparedness. The people of the Gulf Coast are suffering greatly for this failure.

I wrote you in January that the fraud permitted in Miami-Dade County, Florida detracted from the invaluable work FEMA has carried out. I continue to believe that FEMA does valuable work; however, under the leadership of Under Secretary Brown, it became embroiled in fraud in Miami-Dade and tarnished by gross incompetence in the immediate aftermath of Katrina. Despite these two major debacles over the past year, Under Secretary Brown has yet to take responsibility for the actions of FEMA. Mr. President, it is time for you to hold Under Secretary Brown to account for the inexcusable failure of his agency in responding to the crippling disaster of Hurricane Katrina.

In addition to removing Under Secretary Brown from his position as FEMA's director, I believe that the enormity of the government's failures in responding to this disaster necessitates a thorough investigation by an independent commission similar to that which took place after 9/11. Katrina's devastation is an unfortunate wakeup call for all Americans who deserve to know that the federal government, in conjunction with state and local authorities, is doing everything it can do to prevent a similar calamity. In this vein, I stand ready to work with your Administration and my colleagues in Congress to make necessary changes to FEMA so that the Agency and the federal government is fully prepared and able to address a disaster of this magnitude in the future.

Thank you for your time and careful consideration of my concerns.

With warm regards,

Robert Wexler,

MEMBER OF CONGRESS

Lale M. Mamaux Communications Director Office of Congressman Robert Wexler 213 Cannon House Office Building (202) 225- 3001 lale.mamaux@mail.house.gov

[shhrubbery!]

Isn't Wesler the one with the large naris (nose holes). If so, he can shove it there.

You might be thinking of Henry "nostrilitis" Waxman, D-California?

Wexler does have a big mouth, however.

[blake6900]

Yeah, let's put the Palm Beach County election official in charge of FEMA. She did such a great job on those voting ballots.

[jackbill]

There is some miserable garbage in the House of Representatives, but Wexler continues to make my top ten.

[syriacus]

No one has yet explained to me exactly what Brown did wrong and where he did that wrong thing.

My daughter has coined a name by which to remember this disaster

The New Orleans LACK-u-vation.

[U.H. Conservative]

Can you point to anything in Brown's background that qualified him for his post? Especially in the post-September 11 world?

[lawdude]

Wexler can stuff a hand grenade up his ass and let Schumer pull the pin with his teeth!

[shhrubbery!]

Brown had no previous experience in disaster or relief management, and his bungling is hurting a president who is being way too loyal to his friend.

What bungling?

I haven't seen any "bungling" YET that can be attributed to Mike Brown.

If you can give me some facts showing exactly what BROWN has "bungled," as opposed to undeniable bungling on the part of the pathetic mayor and sobbing governor (who are supposed call in and direct FEMA to the necessary locations), I might change my mind.

But until I see facts, I won't be jumping on the boob-tube-bandwagon demanding his head.

[Eagle Eye]

Not FEMA's role.

This is extremely frustrating to hear so called conservatives on FR demaning that the feds usurp local authority.

And yes, I live in a hurricane zone. Ivan and Dennis both paid us visits. I have supplies for nearly two weeks and an escape plan. If we have to go to a shelter we'll take our own food and water.

And I live above sea level.

Don't you think that those that live below sea level have more responsibility for their own well being than FEMA?

[billnaz]

And we all KNOW that President Bush is going to pay attention to a request from a Dimmiecrat Moonbat congresscritter.

[Enchante]

Let's start by firing all the Democrats..... Unfortunately, we have lots more Wexler-isms to look forward to, it's just beginning:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1478704/posts?page=113#113

Republicans had better recognize fast that the Demagogues are going to war over this....

[podkane]

I wish I call you for being so stupid, but I won't. Brain dead is a disease of the left.

You enjoy seeing our president's approval rating drop like a rock? FEMA is the point organization for national disasters that overwhelm local governments. GWB had no control over who was governor of LA or mayor of NO, but he personally appointed Brown to this position. Resources that could have and should have been in position before the hurricane hit weren't there, and the buck stopped at the guy in charge.

He should be replaced immediately. I'm afraid that GWB's advisers are restraining him from his natural instincts..

[Eagle Eye]

I believe that I heard this morning something about 164 emerency responses.

What are your quals to criticize?

[Waryone]

I keep hearing the MSM say he had no experience, but what I have heard he was in charge last year. The same year my state went through four hurricanes. He was also under the previous disaster chief before that.

The difference in this case is that the lower level govts. had absolutely no idea what to do; they had no plan; they pursued no course of action. They crossed their fingers and lost big.

No matter what you, Mr. (looney liberal) Wexler, or the MSM say, I don't believe Mr. Brown should have to be punished for Louisiana's mistakes.

[Primetimedonna]

Can't we encourage the good people of Florida to Fire Wexler?? He comes out of the woodwork any time there's an opportunity to Bash Bush. He was on the 2000 Elections most ardent critics. I've never heard him speak on anything positive. What a Clymer!!

[Laverne]

I tred to send a email to Mr(gag) Wexler....but his email system is undergoing an upgrade....how convenient. Wexler is a jerk of many magnititudes and he is making a fool of himself.

[Eagle Eye]

Under Secretary Brown has led Homeland Security’s response to more than 164 presidentially declared disasters and emergencies, including the 2003 Columbia Shuttle disaster and the California wildfires in 2003. In 2004, Mr. Brown led FEMA’s thousands of dedicated disaster workers during the most active hurricane season in over 100 years, as FEMA delivered aid more quickly and more efficiently than ever before.

Previously, Mr. Brown served as FEMA's Deputy Director and the agency's General Counsel. Shortly after the September 11th terrorist attacks, Mr. Brown served on the President's Consequence Management Principal's Committee, which acted as the White House's policy coordination group for the federal domestic response to the attacks. Later, the President asked him to head the Consequence Management Working Group to identify and resolve key issues regarding the federal response plan. In August 2002, President Bush appointed him to the Transition Planning Office for the new Department of Homeland Security, serving as the transition leader for the EP&R Division.

http://www.fema.gov/about/bios/brown.shtm


164 responses.....It seems that since 2003 he's had more experience than you or me.

[B.O. Plenty]

Dear Florida voters:

Please fire Robert Wexler.

Thank you for your time and careful consideration of my concerns.

With warm regards,

B.O.

[Dane]

According to podkane and democrats, nagin and blanco not using these buses to get people out is Bush's/Brown's fault.

Those democrats sure can get those buses out for election day, but a Cat. 4/5 hurricane is on the way, fuggedaboutit.

[U.H. Conservative]

I didn't say that his actions regarding the Super Dome were wrong. The locals screwed up miserably and deserved to be tarred and feathered.

That said, don't you think the FEMA director should have been at least as informed as the average American with basic cable? If he can;t do that, that says something is seriously wrong.

And I have still not seen any justification for his receiving that slot given his background.

[U.H. Conservative]

I am a citizen and I pay his salary. And, lowly citizen though I am, I figure someone in charge of FEMA might need something more than having been in charge of horse judging for his last job.