Wamp criticizes Katrina relief effort

CHATTANOOGA — A Republican congressman said Hurricane Katrina exposed a preparedness problem all the way to the top in Washington, and he suggested that the costly relief effort means the Medicare prescription drug program expansion be delayed.

U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp said everyone in the executive branch and Congress must “share the responsibility” for the hurricane response. He warned that some of $52 billion aid package approved by Congress could disappear in “corrupt political systems.

The congressman, who seldom disagrees with President Bush, offered his remarks after touring a shelter for evacuees in his hometown.

Wamp, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, also said the estimated eventual $150 billion cost of Katrina, plus $200 billion for the war in Iraq, was good reason to at least delay the new Medicare drug benefit, which is estimated to cost $1 trillion over 10 years.

And if Bush disagrees? “So what,” Wamp said.

He said a majority of the 110 members of the House Republican Steering Committee favor delaying the Medicare expansion. He said a better option would be to “expand Medicaid to a larger number of people.”

Wamp said the Medicare Part D program would only fatten drug companies. The congressman said he wants to repeal the prescription expansion because Katrina would not be the last of costly disasters.

“There are going to be more of these,” he said.

Wamp also criticized city and state officials for their hurricane rescue efforts, saying “local leadership wasn’t responsive.”

“I do think the (Bush) administration stuttered initially, but caught their stride,” Wamp said.

Before Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Michael Brown was recalled from heading the response to Katrina, Wamp said Bush should be making changes “at the top, including Mr. Brown.”

After learning that Brown was being reassigned, Wamp said he was “confident the administration will make the changes needed.” He also said Congress should have allocated the $52 billion, including $50 billion to FEMA, gradually.

“I am concerned this money going into this zone will end up in corrupt political systems … and some of this money disappears,” Wamp said.

Despite government programs making money available to evacuees, including $2,000 debit cards through FEMA, Wamp said some of the evacuees he talked to said they were broke and when they called FEMA the telephone lines were busy.

“The bureaucracy in the middle of that is a nightmare,” Wamp said.

Wamp also said mental health agencies were not prepared to assist evacuees.

The congressman was accompanied at the evacuee shelter by Virginia’s former governor, Jim Gilmore, before they attended a National Council on Readiness and Preparedness conference on homeland security. The conference was scheduled before Katrina.

Wamp and Gilmore both said local and state governments must take lead roles in preparing for natural disasters or terrorism, with federal agencies acting in support roles.

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National Council on Readiness and Preparedness: http://www.ncorp.org