Hooley Presses FEMA to Clarify Status of Reimbursement for Oregon National Guard Katrina Aid

Hooley Presses FEMA to Clarify Status of Reimbursement for Oregon National Guard Katrina Aid

Today Congresswoman Darlene Hooley (OR-5) made another request, this time with the Oregon Congressional Delegation, in calling on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Director R. David Paulison to clarify the status of the $2.7 million FEMA owes Louisiana that would be used to fully reimburse the Oregon National Guard for the expenses incurred in granting Hurricane Katrina aid.

In a request to Paulison, which was similar to a letter Hooley sent to the FEMA Director in August, the Oregon Congressional Delegation joined together to ask for an explanation of FEMA's role in the lengthy delay to be provided within 15 days.

In October 2005, the Oregon National Guard billed Louisiana for $2.7 million to cover the expenses of deploying more than 2,100 soldiers to the Gulf Coast to help with relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

"During a national crisis the Oregon National Guard didn't hesitate to send its finest men and women to Louisiana to help those who needed it most," said Hooley. "The fact that the Guard might fall into a budgetary crisis because of a lack of repayment for their assistance is unacceptable. It is high time that the Guard receive, at the very least, a timetable for when they can expect full reimbursement."

The full text of the Delegation's letter, signed by Senators Ron Wyden and Gordon Smith and Representatives Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Darlene Hooley and David Wu, is attached.

http://hooley.house.gov/index.asp?Type=B_PR&SEC={D7E92CD2-E3EE-43C4-BD8B-A3C19405B234}&DE={2504C14B-F68B-4657-9340-C0CA551A6F76}