Whip Says American People Deserve a Full Accounting of Administration's Bungled Response
WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement after new reports further highlighted the extraordinary extent of the waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayers' money following Hurricane Katrina:
"Since Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast nearly a year ago, Democrats have been calling for accountability when it comes to the Administration's drastic ineptitude in preparing for, and responding to, one of America's greatest natural disasters. Disaster preparedness is first and foremost an issue of national security, and American families deserve a full accounting of how the Administration is working to fix the shortcomings that led to the inexcusable aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
"Republicans' unwillingness and inability to prevent the jaw-dropping level of waste, fraud and abuse following Hurricane Katrina is consistent with their absolute refusal to conduct any meaningful oversight and their fiscally reckless policies that have socked taxpayers with historic levels of debt and deficit. Congress has a responsibility to ensure that taxpayers' hard-earned money is used efficiently and effectively, and Republicans clearly deserve a failing grade in that department.
"With this year's hurricane season now underway, it is as vital as ever that we gain a full understanding of what led to the disastrous waste, fraud and abuse after Katrina, and that it is prevented from ever happening again."
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