Posted on 09/09/2005 6:12:42 PM PDT by mdittmar
Congressman Says Taxpayers Deserver Accountability for Record $62 Billion of Relief
WASHINGTON , D.C. – Congressman Tom Tancredo (R-CO) introduced a resolution today that would create a bipartisan select committee of House members to oversee the administration of hurricane relief and reconstruction funds.
The House approved a record $52 billion in relief funds this afternoon. Altogether, $62 billion have been appropriated, which is greater than the total annual discretionary spending for the Commerce, Justice, and State Departments combined. Speaker Hastert and Majority Leader Frist announced that they will create a joint committee that is “tasked with reviewing, at all levels of government, the immediate preparation and recovery from Hurricane Katrina.” The committee appears to provide no oversight for the billions of dollars of relief aid that has been appropriated. Tancredo voted against appropriating the Katrina relief funds because of the lack of oversight.
“There is no question that billions of dollars are needed—and are needed immediately—to provide relief and reconstruction for Louisiana . But the urgent need of resources does not excuse us from our duty to safeguard the American taxpayers’ money,” said Tancredo.
Tancredo continued, “I’m concerned that the federal government has created a situation that is ripe for fraud and abuse. Billions of dollars are being handed out to a place where there is severely compromised infrastructure, where local officials have been incompetent in their early response to the emergency, and where there is little if any oversight in administering the funds. Resources are urgently needed, but the U.S. Treasury should not be left unguarded.”
“It is our duty to get relief to persons affected by Hurricane Katrina. But it is political malpractice to spend taxpayers’ money without making sure that the aid is getting to the right people,” said Tancredo.
Tancredo’s resolution would create a 15-member select committee of the House which would be charged with providing oversight for relief aid, accountability of contractors and government officials, and with recommending penalties for corruption and contract abuse related to Hurricane Katrina.
He wants oversight over the funds he didn't vote for. Gotcha.
You mean every thug in the nation won't be able to get in line, claim that they are an "evacuee" from New Orleans and that they have no ID, and get a $2,000 "debit" card? Heartless.
"He wants oversight over the funds he didn't vote for. Gotcha."
Just because he had enough integrity to not blindly vote for a hog-wild spending bill doesn't excluded him from demanding oversight on it. Hell, he's one of the few doing his job. The other 98% of the people on the hill are the ones shirking their duties.
I missed that. What - he did not vote for the relief effort funding - and is now calling for oversight?
LVM
Absolutely! They just had Jeff Flake (Arizone-R) on Oreilly's show...one of the 11 GOPer who voted against the $52 billion, also explaining these same concerns. I got a chuckle when he was asked about Jimmy Carter heading the rebuilding effort; his reply was someone obviously slept through the 70s. This could (and already is) turning into a giant money-pit...especially if Louisiana officials are going to be responsible for it.
Wouldn't using politician and malpractice in the same sentence constitute an oxymoron.
I heard a hurricane refugee on talk radio today complain that "his 2,000 debit card wasn't enough he wanted ten thousand". GW has created a monster.I know he is taking away the rats "mother's milk", dough, but at what cost to our future generations.
" Louisiana has a history of graft and corruption and I don't want that money being wasted."
Unfortunately, every time you try to shovel money to benefit some 'poor souls', that money is wasted.
I must have missed the poor soul clause in the constitution.
All of this will be followed by ACLU lawyers, suing...
I have already heard the word reparations floated...
My congressman, Joe Barton, voted against it, also. What I don't understand is, if Tancredo felt this way...why didn't he do it BEFORE the funding was voted on and passed...
I KNOW there are a lot of Republican representatives that feel the same way...as well as a few Senators, like Sen. Coburn of Oklahoma...(I dont count McCain)...
We all know that LA is one of the most corrupt states in the US...it is totally irresponsible to just hand over $$$$$ to them..
"A billion here a billion there.."
Foxes - hen houses - ah - well it's better than nothing ...
"our duty to safeguard the American taxpayers’ money,” said Tancredo."
Since when has this been a priority? Maybe individually - but collectively? Give me a break.
More bs pablum for the masses.
Excuse me but your actions over the last 50+ years do not match what you say.
The FRAUD stories to come out of this situation will make even Bernie Ebbers' blood run cold.
Illicit FORTUNES will be made here. The gnomes of Zurich are rubbing their hands in glee awaiting the influx of NEW numbered accounts...
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