|
With over 90,000 square miles of damage, Hurricane Katrina is certainly the most devastating natural disaster in the history of our nation. Along with you, I am saddened by the stories I hear on television about the many people whose lives have been torn apart by this storm, but I am filled with hope with each instance of other Americans going above the call of duty to offer help.
My office will be working in the coming months to ensure evacuees in Oklahoma have good living arrangements, education for their children and other resources. We also will be working to ensure that communities, government entities, tribes, civic groups and non-profit organizations in Oklahoma stepping into the breach have the support – financial and otherwise – needed. I am actively seeking support for legislation that would protect these groups from lawsuits that could hinder their efforts. Liability protection for the array of organizations and their volunteers making considerable sacrifices to shelter, feed, and clothe the needy is necessary for them to aid evacuees in an uninhibited and efficient manner.
The House passed a second emergency supplemental last week that will provide over $50 billion dollars in relief funds. Included in this legislation are reporting and accountability provisions to allow Congress to conduct oversight of the expenditure of these taxpayer dollars. Furthermore, I have signed a pledge to oppose any project or provision that is not directly related to the impact of Hurricane Katrina in any supplemental appropriations bill that provides funds for hurricane relief. In the past, some members of Congress have attached self-serving pork projects to fast-moving emergency spending bills that are guaranteed to pass through the House and the Senate. That must not happen in this case. It would be akin to steeling from the victims of the disaster.
In Washington, we’re also working to ensure that the spike in gas prices is just that, and not an enduring trend. Forty percent of our nation’s refining capacity is located in the area affected by Katrina, and many facilities have been forced to shut down due to the storm. Time and money will help rebuild this vital infrastructure, but in the meantime, the federal government is doing all it can to reduce the impact of their closure.
The House is doing its part to help alleviate the disaster by providing emergency funding, and working to ensure that our energy infrastructure is rebuilt as quickly as possible. The President has instructed the Environmental Protection Agency to loosen restrictions on fuel blends so that more gas can be produced, and more importantly he has allowed oil to be drawn from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. He has allowed foreign ships to transport oil and gas from domestic port to domestic port—a practice that was previously not allowed. These measures will help to increase supply and lower prices. President Bush has also announced a zero-tolerance policy for price gouging at the pump. Gas stations cannot, and will not be allowed to take advantage of Hurricane Katrina’s devastation at your expense.
The energy issues brought to light by Katrina were also dealt with in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 passed earlier this year by the Congress and signed into law by the President. Two policies that the energy bill addressed--refinery capacity and changes in gasoline specifications-- are limiting our supply and adding to the cost of gasoline. The U.S. has not built a new refinery since the mid 70's and the ridiculous number of fuel blends that must be refined to meet state and local clean air requirements are increasing the costs of gasoline. We will continue to look at these policies during this session of Congress.
Rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina will be a costly and lengthy endeavor, but no American will rest until it is complete. There are many organizations that need our help. Please visit my website at http://www.house.gov for information on what you can do to help disaster survivors or call my office in Norman at 405-329-6500 or in Washington, D.C. at 202-225-6165. |
