Ted Poe: “as the skies have cleared in the aftermath of Katrina, and the howling winds and rain of Rita develop in the gulf and…”

“as the skies have cleared in the aftermath of Katrina, and the howling winds and rain of Rita develop in the gulf and head for Texas, we have learned that giving away American money in the form of emergency debit cards should be reevaluated. There are reports in Houston of evacuees using their taxpayer debit cards to buy expensive jewelry, $800 Louis Vuitton purses. $2,000 cards are exchanged on the black market for cash in order to buy drugs, alcohol, and as they say, street entertainment. There are reports of individuals using multiple stolen identifications to get numerous cards. At the Astrodome there are reports of dice games with the pot being debit cards. Madam Speaker, we are also hearing the topless clubs are doing a booming business thanks to the evacuees. A local bartender has reported that the debit cards are used at his topless club to gain admission and purchase lap dances. Maybe these are emergency lap dances for the displaced and distressed evacuees. Madam Speaker, when American money is given away in the name of compassion without adequate control, we see the above abuse. Those who take advantage of this disaster should be held accountable. As the saying goes, Madam Speaker, no good deed goes unpunished. This ought not to be. ____________________”