(WASHINGTON, DC) – Congressman Dennis Moore (Democrat -- Kansas) joined with Congressman Spencer Bachus (Republican – Alabama) to introduce a resolution reiterating to all federal agencies the importance of a fair and open bidding process in awarding government contracts related to relief efforts from hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

“I am greatly disturbed by reports of millions of dollars being spent by FEMA and other federal agencies in no-bid contracts for rebuilding in the Gulf Region,” Moore said. “In this time of national tragedy, cronyism must not be tolerated in the distribution of this much-needed federal funding to help victims rebuild their communities and their lives.”

The bipartisan resolution Moore sponsored, H.Con.Res. 251, is one of several pieces of legislation pending in Congress to create additional layers of oversight to the disaster contracting and award process. A house panel is hearing from government auditors today that they will closely examine millions of dollars in contracts the Administration awarded to politically connected companies for hurricane relief.

“It is vital that our tax dollars are spent wisely as the federal government invests billions of dollars in the rebuilding process,” Moore said.