Following the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Committee’s third hearing of its investigation of the
government’s response to Hurricane Katrina, chairman Susan
Collins, R-Maine, and ranking member Joseph Lieberman,
D-Conn., said they remain concerned whether FEMA is providing
relief to hurricane victims efficiently and spending money
wisely.
They cited examples of apparent waste including orders for
ice that was to be delivered to the Gulf Coast region that
was instead diverted to different regions of the country
including 250 truckloads that were shipped to Portland,
Maine at an approximate cost of $800 a day — as well as
multiple instances where manufactured homes for victims
remain vacant while victims remain in emergency shelters.
“Minor oversights and inevitable glitches are to be expected,
but the more glaring failures appear to be the result of
insufficient planning, faulty decisions, ineffective
implementation, or an overwhelmed bureaucracy,” Collins said.
The senators have requested extensive documents for further
investigation.
