[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

[[Page 1626]]

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