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Statement of U.S. Senator Barack Obama on the Extension of Michael Brown's Consulting Contract

Friday, October 21, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Obama Contact: Robert Gibbs or Tommy Vietor, (202) 228-5511
Illinois Contact: Julian Green, (312) 886-3506
Date: October 21, 2005

Statement of U.S. Senator Barack Obama on the Extension of Michael Brown's Consulting Contract

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today released the following statement about the recent government contract extension of former FEMA director Michael Brown:

"It is unconscionable that months after presiding over one of the greatest bureaucratic disasters in U.S. history, former FEMA director Michael Brown is still receiving a salary paid for by the American taxpayer," said Obama. "In fact, recent reports indicate that his original thirty-day consulting contract has been extended for another 30 days. Mr. Brown has an obligation to his country to explain what went wrong in the hours and days after Hurricane Katrina struck land, so we can ensure that such abject government failure is never repeated. However, he should not receive another penny from the government, and I ask President Bush and Secretary Chertoff to cancel the contract immediately."