[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 15]
[House]
[Page 20803]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                             KATRINA ABUSE

  (Mr. POE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, 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.

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