Originally published January 6 2006
Mississippi governor criticizes federal government for inadequate response in helping state recover from hurricane
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Gov. Haley Barbour has voiced criticism regarding Washington's slow response to Mississippi's efforts to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina, claiming that the government's indecision is further damaging an economy that needs to restart itself.
Congressional failures to approve emergency funding for roads, schools and housing construction have stalled Mississippi efforts to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina, the state's Republican governor testified Wednesday.
Governor Barbour appears with President Bush at a gathering shortly after Katrina struck.
"We are at a point where our recovery and renewal efforts are stalled because of inaction in Washington, D.C., and the delay has created uncertainty that is having very negative effects on our recovery and rebuilding," said Barbour, a strong ally of House Speaker Dennis Hastert and former Republican National Committee chairman.
"It is taking the starch out of people who've worked so hard to help themselves and their neighbors," Barbour told a House panel investigating the government's preparations and response to Katrina.
Congress has approved $62 billion in hurricane relief aid, but nearly all of that money so far has been spent on victims' immediate needs, like food, clothing and shelter.
Republican lawmakers on the panel, chaired by Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., said Katrina aid no longer appears to be a high congressional priority.
"The reality is that a lot of members of Congress, both on the House and Senate side, do not have relief for Gulf Coast states on the front burner anymore," said Rep. Henry Bonilla, R-Texas.
"I applaud you for scolding the House leadership," said Rep. Gene Taylor, D-Miss.
"I didn't vote to elect Dennis Hastert, governor -- you helped get him there.
Also at the hearing, Rep. Charlie Melancon, D-La., said he would make a formal push next week to have the special oversight committee subpoena the White House for documents lawmakers requested more than two months ago.
That process, Kelley said, could "be overly burdensome and unduly impinge on the separations of powers between the Legislative and Executive branches of government" Instead, Kelley offered a briefing with administration officials.
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