WASHINGTON – United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today dropped her official objection to the confirmation of Vice Admiral Harvey E. Johnson, Jr., to be the Deputy Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). According to her office's press release, "with her support, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee unanimously referred the Admiral’s nomination to the full Senate for its consideration. Sen. Landrieu chairs the committee’s Disaster Recovery Subcommittee.
“By its own reports, FEMA continues to fall short in meeting the ongoing recovery needs of the Gulf Coast and has a long way yet to go to before it is fully prepared for another major catastrophe,” said Sen. Landrieu. “The agency needs leaders committed to reforming from within, and removing the bottlenecks that slow our recovery and impede preparation for the next disaster. Admiral Johnson has taken steps, I believe in good faith, to demonstrate that commitment.
“But there remain a great number of challenges stemming from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the devastating failure of the federal levees. FEMA has too often shown little urgency to overcoming these obstacles, as evidenced by its foot-dragging on streamlining the project approval process and on delivering reports and plans mandated by Congress. Admiral Johnson has acknowledged these and other concerns, and I intend to hold him to his promise to help address them.”
Her release also stated that earlier this year, "Sen. Landrieu said that as a condition of her support, Adm. Johnson would have to travel to Louisiana, visit hurricane-affected areas, and meet with state and local officials managing the recovery. He responded by making several trips to the region, and parish and state officials spoke positively to Sen. Landrieu of the meetings and stepped up FEMA engagement they appeared to represent.
The Senator also required that FEMA take steps to:
1)Establish an independent appeals process for rebuilding projects;
2)Dramatically reduce the backlog of projects awaiting funding or other FEMA action;
3)Authorize the aggregation of similar rebuilding projects to smartly reduce waste, administrative burdens and other bureaucratic roadblocks;
4)Extend the deadline for demolition debris removal reimbursement, set to expire February 29, 2008; and
5)Extend the deadline for marine debris removal reimbursement.
FEMA responded to Sen. Landrieu’s February 12 letter by moving the public assistance appeals process to another FEMA region, so officials hearing appeals are not in the same office that originally denied approval. Sen. Landrieu said today that she will closely monitor the new process to determine whether it provides sufficient impartiality, or whether an even more independent approach will be needed.
Adm. Johnson also reached out to Louisiana Recovery Authority Executive Director Paul Rainwater, formerly a senior Landrieu aide, to develop processes to expedite backlogged project approvals and appeals.
Following the passage of legislation by Sen. Landrieu that allowed for the aggregation of rebuilding projects for Louisiana school systems, the agency has begun investigating administrative ways to extend that flexibility to police and fire departments. In a 13-to-3 vote, the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee today also passed a bill by Senator Landrieu that would implement this reform legislatively.
The two debris removal reimbursement deadlines were extended by six months, to August 29, 2008 – the third anniversary of Katrina – after a meeting between Adm. Johnson and Sen. Landrieu on February 28.
“These are all steps in the right direction,” Sen. Landrieu said. “I believe both Admiral Johnson and Director Paulison are well-meaning men who want to help – but the question remains whether higher-ups at the Department of Homeland Security and the White House will step up with the flexibility, commitment and resources FEMA needs to improve."
In a quote, Landrieu said, “I intend to keep pressing this agency and Administration to be more aggressive in cutting through red tape and better preparing for the future. I have no plans to let up until FEMA is as ready and willing as we need them to be.”
Well then, I would suppose then that the common VIEW shared by Landieu supporters, or part time advocates that belly up to the bar with her is that THEY LIKE PAYING HIGH TAXES, WASTEFUL TAXES, AND HOPE THE WASTE OF THEIR TAXES ARE AS HIGH AS THE EXHORBORANT AMOUNT EXTORTED............... So, hmmmmmmm,,,, who could possibly be 60+% of her supporters? Pretty easy to answer that one.... State workers, and federal workers.... And when the taxes get too high, and cut into their pie, they howl for an increase in wages that comes out of the pockets of common folks such as you and I......................................................... Written by The facts are, only a dill-weed would want her
on 4/15/2008
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Our representatives' work is not hob-knobbing with the media, that's called "running for re-election." Truthfully, don’t you realize how POINTLESS it is to point out the foibles of politicians to their supporters? People care about ISSUES and will support a hypocritical politician who shares their views and ADVANCES these issues BY HOLDING OFFICE. Is Vitter a hypocrite? Absolutely, just as Bill Clinton was as a poseur of women’s rights. Does their behavior exhibit distain for women? Well, would you like your daughter to work as an intern for either man? Probably not. People (you, me, almost all of us) consider it a “win” when someone who shares our viewpoints holds a political office, we really do not care how flawed they are as they are still preferable to someone who is “clean cut” but holds an opposing political viewpoint. If you are objective you’ll see the same types of behavior exhibited by a politician whom you wish to remain in office, no matter how odious they may be to you as an individual. Written by kpf
on 4/15/2008
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Sid, I almost agree with you, but my main point is Mary does have the ability
to work with people from both sides in washington.Vitter is a lame duck in
washington and with the democrats taking more control this year,he will be a joke
for Louisiana to have as a congress man. While I am not so pro- Mary, at least
with her we will have a voice in washington. Besides I do like the idea of having
someone from both parties representing Louisiana,Just not Vitter.People praise
Vitter and then attack Mary,when out of the two she is the better person.Now
Katrina has at least made Mary go back to work and that is a good thing,but
Vitter is still running from the media. Written by Diaperman
on 4/14/2008
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Well Diaperman, I would suppose that it could depend on WHICH Republican leader's are supporting her where the question or observation made that whether or not or she is good for Louisiana could be concerned. And I really don't care what office those leaders hold. Left, right, top, bottom, mail room clerk, ehhhhhhhhhhhhhh,,,,,, you get the bent on this angle....... I like to simply lump sum them at this point...... Written by Her and her Republican supporters are ignorant
on 4/14/2008
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The power rankings are based on years in office and in part, pushing an agenda. I don't like Mary's agenda, her agenda is the liberal democrats agenda until 18 to 24 months before her next election when she veers a little to the right on issues. After her terrible performance after Katrina, who would want to vote for her? Written by Sid
on 4/14/2008
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Mary has gotten support from some North Shore Republicans and that shows even republican Leaders know Mary is good for Louisiana.Now this is from a article by Jeff Crouere { A recent power ranking of U.S. Senators conducted by Congress.org listed Landrieu in the top third, which compares favorably to Louisiana’s other U.S. Senator, David Vitter, who ranked near the bottom, in the 85th position.}
Now tell me how the republican party can be so proud of Vitter and then say
Mary is bad for Louisiana. If a man who runs from the media and degrades women is really good for louisiana,how can anyone say Mary who has a high ranking, and has support of some republican leaders is not good for Louisiana?
Written by Diaperman
on 4/13/2008
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Vitter was working the women, that's a good one. Ms. Landrieu has been working herself. She wants re-election and will do or say anything to get it. She has come up with a list of demands for FEMA, maybve we should come up with a list of demands for her. Written by Sid
on 4/13/2008
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Oh, and it should be Written by BEER! BEER! BEER! MAKES YOU OF GOOD CHEER
on 4/12/2008
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Yeah, a state of chaos. Or how about a state of wastefulness? Hmmmmm, perhaps a candidate for discussion on a legislative session, the States state-?. Quick 99, get me the Chief.... Written by Hmmmm.... The old 'Hard working politician trick'
on 4/12/2008
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Mary has been working for the state while Vitter has been working the women. Written by Diaperman
on 4/12/2008
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Yes, no one can say that Mary Landrieu doesn't have a high opinion of herself and her "imagined" accomplishments. This was a stupid hold as was the one she has on a Louisiana Judge. But we must keep up the Fight, Fight, Fight. Written by Sharon
on 4/11/2008
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