[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 107 (Thursday, September 1, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9597-S9598]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              MAKING EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS

  Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, at this point, I ask unanimous consent 
that notwithstanding the recess or adjournment of the Senate, the 
Senate may receive from the House an emergency supplemental 
appropriations bill for relief of the victims of Hurricane Katrina, the 
text of which is at the desk, and that the measure be considered read 
three times and passed and a motion to reconsider laid on the table; 
provided that the text of the House bill is identical to that which is 
at the desk.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Democratic leader.
  Mr. REID. I want the record to be spread with the fact that the 
ranking member of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Robert Byrd, 
has indicated he fully supports the action tonight and stands arm-in-
arm with the chairman of the committee, Senator Cochran, to move 
forward any other requests that would come down from the 
administration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The Senator from New York.
  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, first, my particular thoughts go to our 
colleague from Mississippi, the chairman of the Appropriations 
Committee, who has experienced visiting such devastation.
  I have some idea of how he feels because less than 4 years ago--a 
little more than 4 years ago--I experienced the same in New York.
  Tonight, our Nation is experiencing one of the most tragic and 
heartrending natural disasters in our history. Entire towns have been 
destroyed, lives upturned, families lost, and the chaos we have all 
watched unfold continues even tonight.
  Our hearts go out to the people of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, 
and all of the other Gulf States affected by Hurricane Katrina. Our 
prayers go out most of all to those still stranded and to those who 
have lost loved ones. The images on television are devastating--hungry, 
weeping children sitting on the street amidst garbage; family members 
returning to the destroyed remains of their neighborhoods discovering 
they have lost everything they have ever owned, from precious family 
keepsakes to their houses, cars, and livelihoods; and angry, frightened 
people with nowhere to go and no rescue in sight.
  I join with all Americans and people all over the world in praying 
for the safe rescue of all the victims of this heartbreaking tragedy.
  Four years ago, my city of New York faced a devastating attack, and 
America stood with us in our time of need. New Yorkers will stand with 
the people of the gulf region now as they stood with us then.
  The love and support New Yorkers received from the rest of the 
country after 9/11 meant so much in the wake of those attacks and the 
long, difficult road to recovery. I want the people of New Orleans, 
Louisiana, Mississippi, and the rest of the gulf to know we will 
support them, too, no matter how long and difficult their recovery may 
be. We will do whatever it takes to help now, tomorrow, and into the 
future.
  Our first step comes tonight, when the Senate will agree to provide 
$10.5 billion in desperately needed disaster relief funding to the 
devastated region. And we will stand unified with President Bush and 
ready to provide everything and anything that New Orleans and the rest 
of the gulf region will need to rebuild and recover. Just as we did 
after 9/11, this body and the entire Nation will work together to 
overcome this disaster. The American people are strong, and we will 
persevere.
  Like so many Americans, I have been watching the terrible images on 
television, and I worry about the thousands of people still stranded in 
the Superdome and throughout the city and region without food, water, 
sanitary facilities, or medical treatment. I worry so very much about 
the desperately ill people, including small babies and frail seniors 
who need medical care, and the people who may still be trapped in 
places rescuers have not reached, people in attics who retreated to the 
attics as the waters rose and then were stuck there.
  I know firsthand how difficult it can be to organize a massive rescue 
and recovery effort, and clearly this disaster is unprecedented in its 
scope and difficulty.
  Tonight, a lot of people's lives still hang in the balance. Money for 
the long run is necessary, and that is why we are here tonight. But 
there is much more we must do immediately. We must focus all our 
efforts on rescuing those who are in need of medicine, who are hungry, 
thirsty, and frightened and despairing. We must get these people to 
shelter and to medical facilities immediately. We must fly in food, 
water, clothing, blankets, medicine, and whatever else is needed. We 
must get as many ships, buses, and trucks as we can, from wherever we 
can get them, to transport the victims and to begin clearing the 
wreckage. We must provide the soldiers and law enforcement needed to 
restore law and order--however many it takes.
  This is literally a life-and-death crisis, where every moment of 
delay has a human price. There is not a minute to lose, no matter the 
cost.
  I know the phones have been ringing off the hook in my office and 
those of my colleagues. Many have called asking where they can 
contribute. That act of generosity is also noted. We are hearing from 
our constituents who have heartfelt questions about what went wrong in 
this tragedy and what else could have been done to prevent it. At the 
moment, we must keep our total focus on saving lives. But I want them 
to know that their questions are not falling on deaf ears. In due time, 
after we have done everything to save those whose lives hang in the 
balance, we will ask those difficult questions--not to lay blame but to 
learn from the mistakes that were made so that the Nation will be 
better prepared for the next disaster we might face.
  But now is the time for action, for solving these problems, and for 
saving the lives that hang in the balance. In the days and months 
ahead, this Nation will pull together united as we did after 9/11. We 
will do everything we can to help the victims and repair and rebuild 
the cities and towns in the gulf, especially the much beloved city of 
New Orleans.
  Just as we did in New York, we will face difficulties and great 
sorrow, but I know I join all of my colleagues in the Senate in 
pledging assistance--financial and beyond--that the gulf region needs 
and anything else in our power to help our fellow citizens.
  Tonight, our prayers--our fervent prayers--are with them.
 Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I rise today with sadness in my 
heart, yet

[[Page S9598]]

firm in my resolve to due whatever is necessary in order to be of 
assistance to the citizens of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and 
Florida. No amount of Federal compensation can ever make up for the 
losses that have been suffered or for the tragic circumstances 
surrounding this event. Lives have been changed forever. However, now, 
as we have always done in the past, we will band together as a nation 
and begin the process of healing the wounds caused by this 
unprecedented tragedy.
  I know I speak for all the citizens of Utah when I extend my State's 
heartfelt sympathies to all who have suffered. The Governor of Utah has 
graciously volunteered to open our State's doors to the refugees from 
the New Orleans area, by providing them with shelter, food, and other 
appropriate assistance. We are all anxious to help and provide as much 
relief and comfort as possible to these good people.
  As a member of our Nation's Federal Government, I pledge my full 
support to provide assistance to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. I am 
also grateful for the President's leadership. He has done an 
extraordinary job of organizing land deploying our Nation's resources 
in a timely and expeditious manner. Currently, the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency is spending $500 million a day to help these 
citizens. This is a staggering amount of money, but these are 
staggering times and when we pledge our assistance, we pledge all the 
assistance we can possibly muster.
  The suffering and pain felt by our citizens in the South is abhorrent 
and I am, once again, in awe of the commitment, selflessness, and skill 
of our Nation's first responders, disaster agency personnel, military 
personnel, local volunteers, local leaders, and everyday heroes who 
are--right now--doing all they can to help. I am also indebted to our 
congressional leadership for bringing the Congress together in an 
unprecedented fashion to provide Federal aid in a timely manner so 
rescue and relief efforts can continue unobstructed.
  I am resolved to do everything I can. I know millions of citizens 
throughout the country are similarly resolved. To those heroes who wish 
to alleviate the suffering in the South, please heed the President's 
request and donate cash to the groups that are providing direct 
assistance in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. Information 
can be found at the FEMA Web site or by calling the American Red Cross 
at 1-800-HELP-NOW.
  The compassion and humanitarian efforts going on in this country are 
astounding. Thank you to all those citizens who have offered assistance 
and prayers. I know we can count on every American to do their part in 
this hour of need.
  (At the request of Mr. Reid, the following statement was ordered to 
be printed in the Record.)
 Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, like all Americans, my thoughts 
are with those struggling to cope with the terrible effects of 
Hurricane Katrina. The devastation brought by the storm is absolutely 
heart-wrenching and beyond description. Many of my constituents are 
deeply concerned by the scenes of suffering they are witnessing and I 
share their desire that the Government do all it can to get help to 
Katrina's victims as soon as possible.
  I commend the majority leader and minority leader for acting to make 
sure that the Federal help is available to deal with Katrina's 
aftermath. I hope that the emergency supplemental we are passing will 
help to ensure that disaster relief efforts proceed as smoothly and 
expeditiously as possible. I will continue to work with my colleagues 
in Congress and with the President to make sure that the Federal 
Government does all it can to assist those who have lost so much in 
this national tragedy.
  (At the request of Mr. Reid, the following statement was ordered to 
be printed in the Record.)
 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, even though we have all been 
scattered across the country during this past week as the Senate has 
been in recess, we have all witnessed through television the 
devastating scenes from Louisiana and Mississippi. My heart goes out to 
all of those who have been affected by Hurricane Katrina--those who 
have lost friends and family members; those who have lost homes; those 
whose lives have been completely upended. My thoughts and my prayers 
are with them all.
  Having represented California in the Senate for the past 12\1/2\ 
years, I have been through my share of disasters--of earthquakes, 
floods, mudslides, and fires. I know a little of what they are going 
through right now in the South. But no matter how many disasters I have 
witnessed first hand in California, I must admit, these are some of the 
most disturbing and catastrophic scenes I have ever seen.
  And here we are, several days after the hurricane struck, and it does 
not appear to be getting much better. Tens of thousands of people 
remained stranded and trapped--there is a critical lack of food and 
water--and people are dying. It is truly a desperate situation.
  So I am pleased to support this legislation to provide emergency 
funding to help the relief efforts. I doubt it will be enough, and I 
suspect we will need to do more. I trust that the action we are taking 
tonight will be just the first step--and will serve to underscore our 
desire to take care of the people of the Gulf States.
  The bill (H.R. 3645) was read the third time and passed.
  Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be dispensed with.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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