[StBernard] Putting Louisiana First

[Westley Annis]

Putting Louisiana First <http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=omL2KjM5KpL4JrJ&s=eiINI0OIJeJQL5MNJtF&m=muIYI9PKLhI8G> 	 

Yesterday, the Obama Administration attempted to strong arm me to force a quick vote on the President's FEMA nominee. A coordinated effort then began when the National Democrat Senatorial Committee attacked me for not allowing Obama’s FEMA nominee to glide through the confirmation process.

After being hit with four major hurricanes in the last 4 years, I can assure you that this isn’t about politics. It's about FEMA inaction, about which we in Louisiana know all too well. I asked the Obama Administration vital questions about our state’s recovery over 70 days ago, yet FEMA's inefficient and ineffective bureaucracy remains.

I gave FEMA an F grade with a Republican President at the helm, and I’m not going to sit idly by without getting key answers from FEMA about rebuilding key emergency operations facilities, like fire stations, in our flood zones. This has nothing to do with Washington politics - it's about putting Louisiana and its citizens first.

I have asked FEMA for a timeline on these important issues, because Louisiana's citizens have waited long enough - almost four years - for answers to move forward on rebuilding. The fact that Obama and FEMA are complaining about a short delay of this nomination brings their priorities into question.

I’m eager to end this delay, but not before I have answers that will get Louisiana citizens direction on critical rebuilding projects. As this Congress moves forward, I will continue to provide oversight against the Obama Administration when necessary to provide Louisiana the accountability and answers we deserve.

Thank you,

David