Democrats criticize US accounting of Katrina money

[sabra]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N23421482.htm

Democrats criticize US accounting of Katrina money

WASHINGTON, Sept 23 (Reuters) - The Bush administration has failed to provide enough details on how billions of dollars in emergency funds for Gulf Coast states hit by Hurricane Katrina were being spent, a senior Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives said on Friday.

"We asked for specific information on how they (FEMA) are awarding contracts and who contracts are going to," said Rep. David Obey of Wisconsin, the senior Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee.

"Instead of telling us who is doing what and how, we got a few spreadsheets."

The information provided by the administration lists broad allocations of funds for a range of government programs, such as $2.3 billion for "housing assistance," $3.1 billion for "missions" under a category called "operations," and $3.5 billion for "missions" under a category called "administration of field operations."

[Why Syzygy]

1. Er ..

They aren't used to Bushenomics yet?

THEY ALLOCATED BILLIONS TO IRA*Q WITH NO ACCOUNTING WHATSOFUCKINGEVER!

Get it now, suckers?

[LouisianaLiberal]

2. If the word "mission" were used by anyone else

I would not raise an eyebrow. But I fear that there is always something sinister waiting in the wings. This is a troubling word when used by this cabal of chickenhawk, theocratic cronies.

[Busshianic]

3. Thats what happens when you vote for something you didn't read...

Same thing happened with the Patriot Act...

[slay]

4. As the Republican crimes and corruption rolls on...

:(

[cyberpj]

5. Oh yes, we "criticize" -- what about DEMANDING DISCLOSURE? NT.

[edhopper]

6. How many

congressional investigation will be launched over this one?
:sarcasm:

[gratuitous]

7. Just write the checks, you jellyfish

Of COURSE these crooks are going to loot the Treasury some more. Their time is running out, and they're going to be grabbing money with both hands for the remainder of the time the Republicans are in power.

"Object" all you want, but don't expect your Republican colleagues across the aisle to get too bent of shape about it. The whole party is shot through with corruption, and none of them ever gets in the way of another grifter's play.

[raysr]

8. "Criticize" is all

they'll do, the pussies!

[rodeodance]

9. Obey of WI (Dem) has always tried to be on top of WH. Seldom is

he seriously listened to!!

[rodeodance]

10. go get 'em David!!---missions missions missions to nowhere!

......The information provided by the administration lists broad allocations of funds for a range of government programs, such as $2.3 billion for "housing assistance," $3.1 billion for "missions" under a category called "operations," and $3.5 billion for "missions" under a category called "administration of field operations."

[rodeodance]

11. $16 billion had been allocated by FEMA,

.......Congress has approved $62.3 billion in emergency aid to Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and other Gulf Coast states following the late August destruction by Hurricane Katrina. The White House is expected to ask for more money soon.

The post-hurricane funds are dwarfing the $43.9 billion the government shelled out following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

Under the law providing the disaster funds, the Bush administration must provide Congress with weekly updates on the pace of spending.

The latest report, sent to Congress on Thursday, indicated that nearly $16 billion had been allocated by FEMA, the agency in charge of most of the rescue and clean-up effort.........

[rodeodance]

12. He wants to details of credit cards purchases by gov. officials also!

......The Bush administration came under intense criticism in the days after Hurricane Katrina for what was perceived as a slow emergency response.

Since then, congressional lawmakers have argued over the best way to investigate the federal government's disaster response and the most effective way to make sure emergency funds were not wasted.

Besides asking for details on the awarding of contracts, Obey and Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia, the Senate Appropriations Committee senior Democrat, have asked for details on credit card purchases by government officials.

[KeepItReal]

13. Could someone tell me where FEMA keeps RFP's?

I checked their website to see what goods and services they are putting out for bid with no luck...

I guess that ain't no coincidence, huh?

[indepat]

14. There will be little/no accounting for funds: just trust them oh ye of

little faith.