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U.S. Rep. votes ‘nay’ on aid bill

U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., was one of 11 house members Thursday to vote against an emergency supplemental bill offering $51.8 billion in aid to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The bill, which raises the total amount of federal aid dedicated to the hurricane relief effort to more than $62 billion, passed by an overwhelming majority in the House of Representatives and unanimously in the Senate.

President Bush subsequently approved the bill, which directs all funds to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, promising also to alleviate hassles evacuees have been encountering when obtaining federal medical benefits, food and housing.

Initially, FEMA approved a plan to give a $2,000 debit card to each family displaced by the hurricane, but the plan was scrapped after further scrutiny.

Sensenbrenner defended his decision Friday saying the bill required further revisions to ensure the money would be spent appropriately.

"I voted against the emergency supplemental bill to provide FEMA with $52 billion for Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts because this legislation lacks accountability," Sensenbrenner said in a release. "While the people of New Orleans and other affected areas clearly need help, I am not convinced that this legislation will provide it."

Citing slow hurricane relief response, Sensenbrenner said he wanted to make a guarantee to Americans that the money would reach the people who need it most.

"The magnitude of this disaster, and what has been widely regarded as an unsatisfactory response to the effects of Hurricane Katrina, demonstrates a great need for accountability in any spending bill that comes out of Congress," Sensenbrenner said.

However, College Democrats chair Brian Shactman said a number of political actions the Republican Party have lately taken lack accountability, such as the War in Iraq and tax cuts.

"[W]hen people are suffering, it's an interesting time to bring up the issue of accountability … I think it's clear where the money is going and how badly these people need it," he said.

Shactman also added Sensenbrenner's priorities were in the wrong place.

"I think it really shows how far out of his youth he really is when he is one of the few representatives in the house to actually vote against aid for the victims of Hurricane Katrina," Shactman said.

The Democratic Party of Wisconsin (DPW) also criticized Sensenbrenner, jeering FEMA and the Bush administration's response to the hurricane.

"While Americans all throughout the country are opening their hearts to the victims of Hurricane Katrina, it is shameful that Jim Sensenbrenner, one of Wisconsin's senior members of Congress, would cast a heartless vote to abandon fellow Americans in their time of need," Joe Wineke, chair of DPW said.

Despite this criticism, Sensenbrenner and other congressmen who voted against the bill are defending their actions.

Rep. Scott Garrett, R-New Jersey, also voted against the bill for reasons similar to Sensenbrenner's, according to a spokesman for Garret.

"Congressman Garret has concerns about congressional oversight and didn't want to issue a blank check," the spokesman said. "However, he believes hurricane victims in the affected area should absolutely receive as much assistance from the federal government as they need."