Tom Price: “this month of September 2005 has seen our Nation suffer the ravages of the largest natural disaster in our history and a…”

“this month of September 2005 has seen our Nation suffer the ravages of the largest natural disaster in our history and a second hurricane of remarkable power, Katrina and Rita. All Americans extend their hearts and their hands and their hopes to those whose lives have been so drastically disrupted. In Congress, our responsibility must be to ensure that the money that we have provided for the relief efforts is spent only on relief and recovery efforts. That is why Congress will send a special team of investigators to the Gulf region to monitor disaster expenditures. That is why Congress will convene oversight hearings to learn from high administration officials, State officials and local folks on the status of the relief efforts and where the funds are being expended. That is why weekly reports on expenditures are mandated by Congress and why ongoing audits and investigations on disaster assistance are being conducted. Mr. Speaker, recovery efforts will take time and the Federal Government will be there to support the local and State leaders, but anything we do we must do so in a fiscally responsible way. ____________________”