Mitch Landrieu: “I really appreciate the cooperation of the manager because this is a very important amendment for the gulf coast. It is…”

“I really appreciate the cooperation of the manager because this is a very important amendment for the gulf coast. It is an amendment I offer with the support of the Senators from Mississippi--Mr. Cochran and Mr. Wicker--as well as Senator Vitter from Louisiana. We have been waiting for some time now for some housing bill to get to the floor of the Senate where we could offer a small number of amendments that are essential to give aid during the ongoing housing crisis that exists in the gulf today. I say to the Presiding Officer, as you know, as you remember because you have been down to Louisiana, to New Orleans particularly--and we are very grateful for the support that so many Senators have given-- throughout the gulf coast, literally from Mobile to Beaumont, and particularly from Biloxi to Cameron Parish, there is still a tremendous crisis in housing and reconstruction. I am not going to belabor the point--only to say that I have had Secretary Chertoff on the record as late as 3 weeks ago, Chief Paulson today, the IG of the Homeland Security Committee today in Homeland Security saying the Stafford Act was not intended to handle catastrophic disasters and that FEMA has yet to make any substantial progress in getting ready to handle catastrophic disasters. They have made moderate progress. They have made modest but not substantial progress. Our people need substantial everything. They needed it yesterday. They need it today.”