Sep 27 2005
Currently, there is no independent investigation of federal, state and local government response to Hurricane Katrina. On 19 September, Republicans dropped their proposal for a Joint House-Senate investigation.
The proforma announcement followed the creation of the House "bi-partisan" select committtee on 15 September. Democrats are refusing to participate in the proceedings and continue to call for an independent, 9-11 type, commission. However, minority leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) released three Gulf coast representatives from the boycott.
House Actions
- On 15 September, the House passed House Resolution 439, which established Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina. The roll call vote (221-193) ran along party lines.
- On 21 September, House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) named members of the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina. Republican members are Tom Davis (VA), Chairman; F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (WI) ; Harold Rogers (KY) ; Christopher Shays (CT) ; Henry Bonilla (TX) ; Steve Buyer (IN) ; Sue Myrick (NC) ; Mac Thornberry (TX) ; Kay Granger (TX) ' Charles W. (Chip) Pickering (MS) ; and Bill Shuster (PA) .
- On 22 September, the House Committee, chaired by Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA), held its first hearing. The committee has links (pdfs) to testimony. Republicans continue to chastise Democrats for not participating. Information about the Select Committee is archived with the Committee for Government Reform.
- On 27 September, the Committee held its second hearing, which featured only former FEMA Chief Michael Brown. His appearance, still on the FEMA payroll after his 12 September resignation, and testimony were controversial.
- On 2 September, Susan Collins and Joseph Lieberman, Chairman and Ranking Member respectively of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, announced today that their Committee will conduct an oversight investigation of the preparation for, and response to Hurricane Katrina.
- On 7 September, Sen. Collins commented on the proposal by House Speaker Dennis Hastert and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist to create a bipartisan, bicameral, special committee to investigate Hurricane Katrina readiness and response issues.
- On 8 September, Sen. Collins held a Members-only briefing by high-level FEMA and Coast Guard officials.
- On 14 September, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs held its first hearing on Katrina. Witnesses (pdf or Real Audio testimony) included Pete Wilson, Former Governor , California; Patricia Owens, Former Mayor , Grand Forks, North Dakota; Marc Morial, President and CEO , National Urban League and Former Mayor of New Orleans; and Iain Logan, Operations Liaison , International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
- On 15 September, Minority Chairman Harry Reid rejected a proposal for a Senate investigation and continued to champion an independent review.