[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 114 (Tuesday, September 13, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9945-S9947]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ARMED FORCES RESPONSE TO KATRINA
Mr. WARNER. I thank the distinguished Presiding Officer. Mr.
President, I would first like to say, as I mentioned, we receive a
report everyday in the Senate from the Department of Defense regarding
specifically the Guard and Active-Duty. Then, in addition, we receive a
report from the Corps of Engineers. Our committee is a repository of
these reports, but I am happy to share them with any Senators who so
desire. They need only contact the Armed Services Committee or me
personally, and I will see they are provided with the reports.
I join Senator Lott and others in expressing our profound gratitude
and pride to the men and women of the Armed Forces and indeed their
families who are left at home for their service, responding with
courage and untiring professionalism and compassion to our fellow
citizens who fell victim to this tragic disaster.
As you know, our military has a supporting role in the effort. I
underline ``supporting role'' because in no way do we mean to displace
the valiant efforts of those on the scene, the first responders, such
that were able to muster their forces and respond.
I wish to pay tribute to the magnificent response of all. I have
stated the numbers a minute ago.
Furthermore, I wish to highlight that the National Guard forces are
meeting the challenge, as well as the national commitments--Afghanistan
and Iraq. Once again, our Guard is--I don't like to use the word
``stressed,'' but they are challenged. I have spoken with General Blum,
who is the Commander of the National Guard. He never once flinched when
he said we are doing the job and we are going to succeed. Our hats are
off to the National Guard. The Navy deployed 20 ships, including the
USS Harry S Truman--it is an aircraft carrier. I remember when that
ship was named--the USS Whidbey Island and the USS Iwo Jima and the
USNS Comfort, the hospital ship. More than 400 aircraft, including 373
helicopters and 93 airplanes, are in support of search and rescue,
medical evacuation, and logistical supply missions.
The heroism of those who pilot those helicopters and the crews who go
down and rescue the individuals--those chapters in our history will be
recorded for
[[Page S9946]]
posterity. They are absolutely magnificent. We have seen a tremendous
response from our rotary and fixed-wing pilots.
Again, to date, the Active-Duty Forces have flown more than 2,783
sorties and the National Guard has flown more than 9,240 sorties. These
sorties resulted in the evacuation of more than 80,000 people and the
rescue of more than 15,000 people.
Additionally, more than 1,200 beds are available in field hospitals,
and seven military installations are providing support as
transportation staging areas as ice, water, food, and medical supplies
as they became available.
Stop and think. In our daily lives, we go to our refrigerators and
there is ice. Ice is something that is badly needed in these high
temperatures. I specifically put it in because I watched, as almost
every American has watched, as these individuals in their own quiet way
ask for certain things. I was particularly struck by the need for ice
and fresh water.
The amount of humanitarian support provided to the region is
astounding. More than 16 million meals-ready-to-eat--the old MRE or
military meals--44 million liters of water, and more than 175 million
pounds of ice have been delivered to date.
The Army Corps of Engineers has 39 of its 137 permanent pumps
operating throughout New Orleans, with an additional 46 military pumps
operating at a lower capacity.
I understand the water level in New Orleans is dropping more than 1
foot per day. They have removed 94,000 cubic yards of debris and opened
the Mississippi River to shallow draft traffic and deep vessels less
than 39 feet.
As indicated by the tremendous support I have outlined, it is clear
that the deep magnitude and devastation of Hurricane Katrina has
resulted in an unprecedented response from the Department of Defense.
I want to say first that I do not wish to take away anything from the
DOD or the dedicated men and women who have responded to the
devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina--as it is, without question, a
catastrophe without parallel in modern American history, and of a
magnitude not seen in my lifetime. However, as many of our colleagues
know--and as chairman of the Armed Services Committee--I am deeply
concerned that the Department of Defense and our President have
authorities to correct standby authorities in permanent law which they
need to manage disasters.
Shortly I will engage in a colloquy, hopefully, with my distinguished
chairman of the Homeland Defense Committee on the subject of what we
should do in the future to look at the framework of laws and standby
authorities to determine how better--I repeat, how better--not to fault
those who performed in this catastrophe, but how best the totality of
all the resources of our Nation can be brought to bear should we ever
have the misfortune of another natural disaster or, indeed, a terrorist
act of the magnitude that we witnessed.
When I was privileged to assume chairmanship of the Armed Services
Committee--before 9/11, I point out--our committee established a
subcommittee called Emerging Threats. The function of that subcommittee
has, is, and will be to look into the future to determine how best to
prepare, primarily in our case, for a terrorist attack against our
Nation. But those preparations can easily be directed toward a natural
disaster, should it occur. I am very proud of the accomplishments of
that subcommittee in the years I have been privileged to be chairman.
But I believe the time has come that we reflect on the Posse Comitatus
Act and other statutes which have stood by and served this Nation quite
well in years past.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Record
additional documentation.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
DOD Support for Hurricane Katrina Relief: Executive Summary
Command and Control
U.S. Northern Command Commander is Admiral Keating in
Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Joint Task Force Katrina East (Forward) is located at Camp
Shelby, Mississippi--Lieutenant General Honore is on the USS
Iwo Jima pier side in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Joint Task Force Commander for the Louisiana National Guard
is Major General Landreneau, at New Orleans.
Joint Task Force Commander for the Mississippi National
Guard is Major General, Cross, at Stennis Space Center,
Mississippi
Operational Highlights
72,614 Active Duty and National Guard personnel are on the
ground or aboard ships supporting relief operations:
22,439 Active Duty
1,895 Reserves (573 Marine Corps, 53 Army, 450 Air Force,
819 Navy)
45,871 National Guard (2,409 outside area ready to assist)
19 U.S. Navy ships are in the area.
Total aviation support in area:
346 helicopters (Active Duty and National Guard).
68 airplanes (Active Duty and National Guard).
DoD has provided extensive search and rescue, evacuation,
and medical support:
2,783 Active Duty sorties flown--123 in the past 24-hours.
9,240 National Guard sorties flown--136 in the past 24
hours.
Total DoD medical personnel in the area is 2,037 (1072
Active Duty and 965 National Guard). Lieutenant General
Honore directed that no Federal military service member will
perform or assist with any type of forced evacuation.
JTF-Katrina is executing strategy that focuses on recovery
while continuing to support disaster relief operations.
82nd Airborne Division, 1st Cavalry Division, I and II
Marine Expeditionary Force conducting humanitarian
assistance, search and rescue, evacuation and security
assessments.
Division soldiers will not recover remains of deceased
persons; will only mark and record locations for mortuary
teams.
FEMA requested DoD perform all aspects of the mortuary
affairs mission until another contractor can be found. The
Secretary of Defense approved the deployment of 9 teams from
the 54th Quartermaster Company Ft. Lee, Virginia. He also
directed that 9 additional teams from the 54th be placed in
be prepared to deploy status.
Commander, U.S. Northern Command requested the deployment
of two fire trucks to support airport operations at New
Orleans International--Both fire trucks in-place.
Mosquito spraying operations approved. Two sorties were
flown by the: 91Oth Air Wing. They sprayed 912,000 acres in
St. Bernard and Jefferson Parish.
Seven installations are providing support as transportation
staging areas for ice, water, food and medical supplies.
21 million Meals Ready to Eat have been ordered by FEMA to
support Hurricane Katrina response. 16.7 million have been
delivered. 1 million have been diverted to Virginia and
Georgia to support Hurricane Ophelia response if required.
789 beds are available in field hospitals: New Orleans
International Airport (25 beds), USS Bataan (360 beds), USS
Iwo Jima (105 beds), USS Tortuga (35 beds), 14th Combat
Support Hospital (204 beds), and the USS Shreveport (60
beds).
Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas is the central
collection point for supplies donated by foreign countries--
119 nations and 12 international organizations have offered
assistance.
Force Adjustments: USS Harry S Truman, USS Whidbey Island,
Army Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Platoon, Army Aviation Assets,
and the 920th Rescue Wing, 4th Expeditionary Medical Support,
and 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit--USNS Comfort redeployment
pending coordination and agreement between the Secretary DHS,
Principal Federal Official, and State Officials that ship and
unit are no longer required.
____
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Support to Hurricane Katrina
Authorities
USACE conducts its emergency response activities under two
basic authorities:
The Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies Act (P.L. 84-99).
The Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
(P.L. 93-288).
Command and Control
Commander, USACE is Lieutenant General Strock in
Washington, D.C.
USACE Task Force Commander is Major General Don Riley in
Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Mississippi Valley Division (MVD) Commander is Brigadier
General Crear in Vicksburg, Mississippi. His area of
operations covers the States of Louisiana and Mississippi.
South Atlantic Division Commander is Brigadier General
Walsh in Atlanta, Georgia. His area of operations covers the
States of Alabama and Florida.
Operational Highlights
1,765 USACE personnel are supporting relief operations.
Current unwatering estimates:
Orleans (East Bank)--02 Oct, Orleans East--08 Oct,
Chalmette and Chalmette Extension--08 Oct, and 18 Oct for
both Plaquemines basins. These dates are contingent on normal
seasonal rainfall amounts.
TF Unwater is now pumping 19,056 CFS out of the parishes of
New Orleans and Plaquemines.
Hydrogen plant continues to be our highest priority.
Progress was made on debris removal and closure of the
channel near the RR Bridge to isolate the plant's subbasin.
[[Page S9947]]
Water levels are falling at a rate of 18 inches per day.
Dutch team arrived in New Orleans and was briefed on
situation. They will begin to assist in unwatering mission
later today.
The German team began working at PS #19 last night and is
scheduled to move on to PS #3.
Continuing to use booms to assist in containment of
hazardous materials and working with EPA on this issue.
Actions for next 24 hours: We expect to add an additional
1,000 CFS at pump stations #3 and #7 in Orleans East Bank and
1,000 CFS in Plaquemines. We have identified a total of 27
levee breaches to date. Nineteen are attributable to the
hurricane; eight are deliberate. Twelve interim repairs have
been completed.
Water and Ice: 52,848,000 liters of water and 188,160,000
lbs of ice delivered to date:
Moving excess ice to prepare for Hurricane Ophelia.
Debris:
Total tonnage of debris removed and projected: 390,487 CY
removed; 77.5M CY estimated.
Plaquemine Parish declined USACE assistance as of Sept.
10th.
Roofing:
Total temp roofs projected and completed: 51,000 projected
and 262 completed.
Continuing to collect ``Rights of Entry'' in both MS and
LA.
Power: 30 Prime Power soldiers working in the area:
Last 24 hours: Continued working assessments and generator
installs in Mississippi and Louisiana:
We are experiencing problems with local personnel moving
installed generators without coordination. This makes it
difficult to properly maintain, refuel, and ultimately
recover them.
Have completed 669 assessments and 159 generator installs
to date.
Next 24 hours: Continue working to install power to
permanent pumping stations. health facilities and to pumping
stations around the hydrogen plant.
Navigation:
Mississippi River is completely opened all the way to the
Gulf to shallow and deep draft vessels less than 39'
(daylight only).
Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC) remains non
operational due to bridge closures and sunken barges.
Contractor expects to remove barges and open bridges by mid-
week.
Housing:
We have completed the design review mission for FEMA
Housing Area Command and are ready to perform quality
assurance (QA).
We have completed dredging slips in Galveston for two
cruise ships to dock and begin receiving evacuees.
Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, as we face an uncertain future as it
relates to terrorism and the use of weapons of mass destruction, I have
some thoughts with regard to this law which was passed in 1878 which
restricts in certain ways--and the predicate for doing so is wise--men
and women of the Armed Forces--that is, a permanent U.S. military as
opposed to National Guard--in matters relating to law enforcement.
Traditionally, that has always been left to the local authorities,
and that is the way it should be. But sometimes there may be one--I
will have to examine the facts--that becomes so overwhelming or so
incapacitated by a natural disaster, or perhaps a terrorist attack,
that the Armed Forces may have to perform some of those duties. We want
to make sure the President has that capability.
Also, there are other permanent laws on the books called the
Insurrection Statutes. At a very minimum, I would like to see the name
changed that we put on this for reasons quite different than the
threats and challenges that face this Nation today. But that statute
also might be reviewed, along with the Posse Comitatus Act, to see
whether other permanent pieces of law should be modified to meet the
contingencies we face here in the future.
I see the distinguished chairman of the Homeland Defense Committee. I
wonder if I might direct a question to her.
In the briefings we have had before our committee by members of
various departments and agencies who had authorities to deal with this,
I came away with an impression that we have to, in a very quiet and
careful manner, look at the totality of the permanent law and
regulations to determine what changes should be made to meet a
contingency of the nature we have experienced--indeed, whether it is a
natural disaster or military terrorist attack in the future. I wonder
if our distinguished chairman has progressed in her thinking on this
point.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. (Mr. Vitter). The Senator from Maine is
recognized.
Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, if I may respond to the Senator from
Virginia, the distinguished chairman of the Armed Services Committee,
first, let me commend the chairman of the Armed Services Committee for
his thoughtful approach to the issue of whether our laws and
authorities are adequate to deal with a disaster of the magnitude of
Katrina.
He has indicated his interest in taking a hard look at the Posse
Comitatus law and also the Insurrection Act, both of which put certain
restrictions on the ability of Active-Duty Forces to be used for law
enforcement purposes and in other ways. I commend him for raising these
very important issues.
It was evident from the briefing we had with FEMA and Coast Guard
officials last week before the Homeland Security Committee that those
on the front lines believe the current structures are inadequate to
deal with a catastrophe of this magnitude. We talked directly to FEMA's
Director of Operations as well as to a Coast Guard admiral who has been
in charge of the search-and-rescue operation. Each of them, in response
to questions from both of us, indicated this catastrophe has
overwhelmed the organizational structures and requires a new way of
thinking. Both of them indicated interest in our taking a look, a close
examination, at the two acts which the distinguished chairman has
mentioned. I commend him for following up on this issue.
I think it is important that we look at that, as well as a host of
other issues related to our preparedness and our response.
Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I thank the distinguished chairman. I am
privileged to serve on her committee.
As a consequence of the close relationship between the Department of
Defense and the various departments our committee--and I sit on a few--
has over situations such as this--I might note for the Record the
person from FEMA who appeared before your committee for the briefing
was a career employee. I found him to be very qualified. He has some 30
years of experience. I think he shared with our committee some of his
most profound thoughts based on some, I believe, 30 years experience.
Am I correct?
Ms. COLLINS. The Senator is correct. He is a career employee, a
member of the Senior Executive Service, with extensive experience.
Mr. WARNER. I thank the distinguished chairman.
I yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Maine is recognized.
Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak in
morning business for 10 minutes and that the allocated time be extended
accordingly.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
(The remarks of Ms. Collins pertaining to the introduction of S. 1690
are printed in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced Bills
and Joint Resolutions.'')
Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent Senator Byrd be
recognized at 11 a.m. and Senator Vitter be recognized at 11:30 a.m. in
order to address the Senate.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Ms. COLLINS. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for
the quorum call be rescinded.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
____________________