Mary Landrieu

I know what the people are suffering. The governor knows. The president knows. The military officials know.

We have to have a system where their families are moved to a safe place days before the storm.

I just ask this Committee to be broad in our view as opposed to narrow and see how we can really reach out.

I raise that, Madam Chair, not out of any criticism but just to say how huge this is and how much faster we have to go.

Senator Vitter and I are introducing a package today which we hope Congress will look at very carefully.

As Senator Kerry said, there are over 200,000 small businesses and counting that have been directly affected.

Today, I introduced a comprehensive legislative package called the 'Louisiana Katrina Reconstruction Act' that will help rebuild Louisiana's economy and our infrastructure.

I thank the Chair for holding this hearing on the devastation that Hurricane Katrina has brought on my home state of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.

This was the highest priority for businesses in my home state of Louisiana.

I particularly want to thank this Chair and Senator Kerry and the Members of this Committee who have stepped forward to put an extraordinary amendment on the CJS bill.

I want to acknowledge our Chairperson here and how, from the very first days of this catastrophe, the leadership of this Committee, along with Senator Kerry, has been focused on exactly what the Chairman said.

I believe as a Member of this Committee that the Small Business Administration is very well poised through existing programs that we have as well as new things that our Committee should explore.

If one person criticizes them or says one more thing, including the president of the United States, he will hear from me.

We need a lot of help. And the Congress has been wonderful to help us, and we need more help.

I want to thank the president. He will be here tomorrow, we think. And the military is sending assets as we speak.

I'm just expressing that it is so important for everyone in this nation to pull together, for all military assets and all assets to be brought to bare in this situation.

Anderson, there will be plenty of time to discuss all of those issues, about why, and how, and what, and if. But, Anderson, as you understand, and all of the producers and directors of CNN, and the news networks, this situation is very…

LANDRIEU: Anderson, I have the anger inside of me. Most of the homes in my family have been destroyed. Our homes have been destroyed. I understand what you're saying, and I know all of those details.

Anderson, tonight, I don't know if you've heard -- maybe you all have announced it -- but Congress is going to an unprecedented session to pass a $10 billion supplemental bill tonight to keep FEMA and the Red Cross up and operating.

Let me just say a few things. Thank President Clinton and former President Bush for their strong statements of support and comfort today. I thank all the leaders that are coming to Louisiana, and Mississippi, and Alabama to our help and…

Tonight, the Senate will pass a belated, but heartfelt and very sincere apology.

I would just caution you to take the issue of accountability very seriously.

I voted against President Bush's request for authority to take military action in Iraq.

I remain very concerned that we are adding the entire cost of this supplemental to the deficit.

I fight very hard for more generous match for Louisiana, because I have a high percentage...