Bush Pressuring Congress For More Katrina Aide

CNN.com:

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (CNN) -- During a tour of the hurricane-damaged Gulf Coast, President Bush on Wednesday pressed Congress to pass a proposal that would reimburse up to $150,000 to each Louisiana homeowner who lost a residence to Katrina.

"We've all been working to figure out how to come up with a housing plan that will restore the confidence of the people of this important part of our country," Bush said after visiting a levee repair site in New Orleans.

"And in order to make sure that housing plan meets its goals, Congress should make sure that the $4.2 billion I requested goes to the state of Louisiana."

The $4.2 billion plan is part of a $20 billion supplemental funding bill before Congress.
If homeowners already have received funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency or insurance payouts, the amount would be subtracted from the $150,000, said Don Powell, the administration's point man on storm recovery.

Congress is considering allowing all homeowners affected by Katrina to apply for the $4.2 billion in proposed housing aide, according to The Associated Press. Bush wants to limit access to those funds to Louisianans, the AP reported.

"I appreciate the determination by the folks down here to rebuild," Bush said. "I fully understand and I hope our country understands the pain and agony that the people of New Orleans and Louisiana and the parishes surrounding New Orleans went through."

Having visited the region for the 10th time today, the President is obviously doing everything he can to assist in the rebuilding of New Orleans and other areas effected by Hurricana Katrina. Of course, this won't satisfy the "Blame Bush" parade of liberals who recently ran with the lie that Bush was warned about the levees breaking in N.O. as well as certain residents too lazy to help themselves, yet with enough energy to blame the government for the rebuilding not going as fast as they'd like.