Meek Bill Strengthens Oversight of Katrina Relief Funds

Special Inspector General Office Would Focus on Fraud & Abuse

WASHINGTON, DC – Stating “we must take action now to avoid the kind of waste, fraud and abuse that occurred after Congress appropriated billions for the Iraqi war,” Congressman Kendrick B. Meek introduced legislation today that would create within the Department of Homeland Security a Special Office of the Inspector General for Natural Disaster Response and Reconstruction.

“The confidence of our nation was shaken by the slowness and inadequacy of the federal response to Hurricane Katrina,” Meek said. “To help right this massive human tragedy it will take more than just dollars, but a concerted effort to make certain that the tax dollars we appropriate actually help the victims and does not generate quick profits to big contractors. The victims were already hurt once by Hurricane Katrina; we need to make sure that they are not victimized again by poor administration or wasteful spending.”

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the umbrella agency that contains the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is now spending more than $2 billion each day in federal response efforts. In the three years since DHS was created, reports by the Congress, the Department’s Inspector General and the Government Accountability Office have detailed instance after instance of contracting fraud, waste and abuse.

“In light of DHS’ track record, we must have this new office that will have the sole responsibility to conduct, supervise, and coordinate audits and investigations into the treatment and handling of federal funds by an organization providing relief to individuals and businesses affected by Hurricane Katrina,” said Meek. “Allowing this money to be spent with no oversight only makes those in need victims once again.”

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