Vitter Announces Final Passage of Hurricane Emergency Supplemental Bill

Date: June 15, 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Infrastructure


Vitter Announces Final Passage of Hurricane Emergency Supplemental Bill

U.S. Sen. David Vitter announces that the hurricane supplemental bill passed the U.S. Senate today. The final hurricane emergency supplemental bill conference report included many top Louisiana hurricane priorities.

"This is a huge win for Louisiana and will help meet the state's immediate recovery needs. The Louisiana Congressional delegation has succeeded in providing critical federal funding to meet Louisiana's biggest challenges," said Vitter. "Now it is up to the state to act quickly and get the money distributed where it is needed most to facilitate recovery."

The hurricane emergency supplemental conference report includes key provisions for Louisiana. The relief bill contains the full $4.2 billion for homeowner relief and housing-related infrastructure in Louisiana requested by the White House and included in the original U.S. Senate bill. The bill includes $3.7 billion for levee improvements and hurricane protection projects in south Louisiana. The bill also provides $500 million for agriculture assistance in the disaster areas to provide economic relief to farmers in the Gulf Coast region.

"This bill marks an important success and turning point in our recovery," Vitter said. "With our most immediate needs met, we will start looking to the long-term recovery of the entire state's economy."

The hurricane emergency supplemental bill has already passed the U.S. House of Representatives and moves to the president for his signature.

http://vitter.senate.gov/?module=PressRoom/PressItem&ID=84871b4d-0a33-4142-a12d-98e6ba3f6685

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