[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 134 (Thursday, October 20, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2139-E2140]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               WHATEVER IT TAKES TO REBUILD ACT, PART II

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 20, 2005

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, today Representatives Charlie Melancon, 
William Jefferson and I are introducing the Whatever It Takes to 
Rebuild Act, Part II.
  On September 15, 2005, President Bush addressed the nation from 
Jackson Square in New Orleans, LA and offered the following pledge on 
behalf of the American people:

       Tonight I also offer this pledge of the American people: 
     Throughout the area hit by the hurricane, we will do what it 
     takes, we will stay as long as it takes, to help citizens 
     rebuild their communities and their lives.--President Bush, 
     September 15, 2005, New Orleans, LA.

  Just three weeks later, on October 7, 2005, Congress and the 
President broke this pledge by adding a clause to Public Law 109-88, 
the Community Disaster Loan Act of 2005, that requires Gulf Coast 
Communities who receive assistance from the federal government for lost 
tax revenues (to assist in the payment for police officers, 
firefighters, school teachers and other essential services) to pay back 
the

[[Page E2140]]

aid with interest. Never before has Congress or the President required 
the repayment of this aid. That is why we are introducing the 
``Whatever It Takes to Rebuild Act, Part II.''
  The ``Whatever It Takes to Rebuild Act, Part II'' would repeal the 
provision in Public Law 109-88 that requires Gulf Coast Communities to 
repay the assistance they receive under the Community Disaster Loan 
Program. This legislation would permanently repeal the $5 million cap 
on these loans, would make states eligible for this assistance, repeal 
the cap that limits loans to 25 percent of a municipalities operating 
expenses, and would provide this assistance as grants when a disaster 
has been declared an ``Incident of National Significance'' under the 
National Response plan (Hurricanes Katrina and Rita were both declared 
``Incidents of National Significance'').
  This legislation is similar to H.R. 1795, the ``Whatever it Takes to 
Rebuild Act'', which would provide federal assistance for lost tax 
revenues to New York following the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Following 
9/11, President Bush also promised New York and the country that we 
will do whatever it takes to rebuild.
  I urge all of my colleagues to support this important legislation to 
provide real relief to the Gulf Coast and let's do what it takes to 
rebuild.

                          ____________________