Thad Cochran: “Senators are aware that the bill that has come over from the House carries additional appropriations for the Department…”

“Senators are aware that the bill that has come over from the House carries additional appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for disaster relief in the amount of $50 billion; and for the Department of Defense, $1.4 billion; and for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, $400 million. The House has adopted this measure, and now we are hopeful the Senate will act tonight so these funds will be made available immediately to the agencies that are carrying out the disaster relief efforts in the States affected by Hurricane Katrina. This is a destructive force of monumental proportions, the most widespread destruction in my State from any natural disaster in history. So the relief being provided now by the Federal Government agencies is very meaningful and deeply appreciated. So are the voluntary contributions that are being made by Americans who are freely, and in a heartfelt way, giving what they can to help those who are less fortunate. Senators are volunteering personal assistance. The Senator from Illinois, Barack Obama, is organizing a team of doctors to come to Mississippi to provide emergency medical care for those who are still in need of that care. Medicines are being brought with those physicians to be administered to those who need them. That is one example. There are many others.…”