(WASHINGTON, DC) – Congressman Dennis Moore (Third District -- Kansas) cosponsored legislation today that would undo President Bush’s proclamation that cuts wages for working men and women involved in the reconstruction of areas damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Katrina and its subsequent flooding.

“It is important that the working men and women involved in reconstruction of the Gulf Coast are paid a living wage under federal law in order to help rebuild both their communities and their lives,” Moore said. “In this time of national tragedy, we should do all that we can to help those in desperate need, not hurt their pocketbooks even further.”

Under the 1931 Davis-Bacon Act, federal contractors must pay employees a prevailing wage, or the typical wage for their job function in the local area. President Bush’s proclamation suspended these wage standards indefinitely for the parts of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi affected by Katrina. H.R. 3763, the Fair Wages for Hurricane Victims Act, would overturn the President's proclamation.

“If America really wants to help Gulf Coast workers and their families recover from this disaster, then passing this legislation is one of the most important actions we can take,” Moore said.