    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [October 28, 2005]
    [Pages 1625-1626]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives Transmitting a
    Request To Reallocate Emergency Funds for Further Response and Recovery
    Efforts in the Regions Affected by Hurricane Katrina
    October 28, 2005

    Dear Mr. Speaker:
        The devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina across the Gulf Coast
    States has required an unprecedented response by Federal, State, and
    local governments, as well as the private sector. To date, I have signed
    into law two supplemental appropriations bills totaling $62.3 billion
    for hurricane-related disaster relief.
        To further assist the region in its continued recovery in a fiscally
    responsible way, I ask the Congress to consider the enclosed
    reallocation request to provide $17.1 billion in emergency funds for
    further response and recovery efforts, by reallocating available funding
    from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Disaster Relief Fund. I
    hereby designate this proposal in the amount requested herein as an
    emergency requirement. This request will provide further assistance to
    meet the needs of victims, continue the rebuilding and repair of the
    region's infrastructure, and accelerate the return of Federal agencies
    to facilities in the region.
        To further efforts to offset the unprecedented cost of this disaster
    and control the growth in discretionary spending, I also will be sending
    you a separate rescissions proposal reducing funding for lower-priority
    programs and eliminating excess funds. By holding 2006 nonsecurity
    discretionary spending below a freeze and achieving additional savings
    through reconciliation legislation, we will advance our efforts to
    maintain fiscal discipline while continuing to

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    provide for the needs of hurricane-affected States.
        I urge the Congress to act expeditiously on this request to ensure
    that the Federal response to these disasters continues uninterrupted.
        The details of this request are set forth in the enclosed letter
    from the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
             Sincerely,

                                                              George W. Bush