Washington, D.C.  – Today, the U.S. House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee approved legislation that will allow disaster assistance to flow more easily to parishes and local governments in Louisiana in the wake of Hurricanes Rita and Katrina.  U.S. Representative Charles W. Boustany, Jr., R-Lafayette, a member of the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, voiced strong support for the measure during the committee’s debate.

“This bill is a long overdue matter of fairness,” Boustany said.  “Louisiana suffered the largest natural disasters in our nation’s history.  We are simply asking to be given the same considerations that other states have received in recovering from other catastrophic events.  I’m also pleased that this bill allows for the full federal cost share for debris removal in the Rita impacted parishes in Southwest Louisiana.”  

The Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Federal Match Relief Act of 2007 (H.R.1144) improves the flow of funding to local governments in Louisiana.  First, it waives the matching funds, required under the Stafford Act, that states and local governments typically must put up to receive disaster assistance associated with major disasters.  Second, the proposal forgives the 2005 Community Disaster Loans (CDL) that parish and local governments received following Hurricanes Rita and Katrina.

“Community Disaster Loans were essential in helping local communities in Louisiana stay operational following Hurricanes Rita and Katrina,” Boustany added.  “I will continue to do all that I can to assist local governments and communities to get back on their feet.”