Louisiana

December 18, 2007 -- "To better distinguish between the responsibilities at all levels, we have instituted a Transparency Initiative that will identify the location of federal infrastructure funds and make this information available in a clear and understandable way to the general public. This is a great tool that will further accelerate rebuilding. The first phase of this initiative will focus on mapping public schools in New Orleans so parents, teachers and local leaders will know the status of individual schools in their community." - Donald E.    » read more »

December 14, 2007 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

They died in Afghanistan from wounds suffered when their vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

The soldiers were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 173rd Airborne Brigade, Camp Ederle, Italy.

Killed were:

Staff Sgt. Michael J. Gabel, 30, of Crowley, La., who died Dec. 12 at Forward Operating Base Curry, Afghanistan.    » read more »

FEMA continues efforts to move residents out of trailers

December 13, 2007 -- (NEW ORLEANS) – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced today that testing for formaldehyde levels in trailers and mobile homes will begin Friday, December 21, 2007. Testing will take place in Mississippi and Louisiana. The testing comes in response to a request from FEMA for assistance in answering questions related to indoor air quality and health in order to answer concerns raised by residents and community members.    » read more »

Dec 07, 2007 -- BATON ROUGE - Today Louisiana Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco joined members of the Louisiana Recovery Authority to announce that updated budget estimates for the Road Home show the program is fully funded. Based on these projections, the state will not have to seek new funds from Congress to ensure that every eligible homeowner receives their full grant award from the Road Home.    » read more »

Nov 29, 2007 -- PAULINA, La. - Louisiana and its coastal parishes will soon share $510 million in federal funding over four years to help offset the impact of outer continental shelf energy production, after Louisiana became the first state to receive approval from the U.S. Department of the Interior for its Coastal Impact Assistance Program plan.

Louisiana is the first state to receive federal approval of its coastal assistance plan under this new program.    » read more »

November 26, 2007, NEW ORLEANS, La. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently approved funding to reconstruct six severe repetitive loss properties in Orleans Parish. The approved project is significant because it is the first project in Orleans Parish being funded through FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grants Program (HMGP).    » read more »

Nov 19, 2007 -- BATON ROUGE - Louisiana Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco issued the following statement today after learning New Orleans was eliminated from a list of cities to host a presidential debate:

"I am extremely disappointed to learn New Orleans was rejected as a site to host a presidential debate, especially for the reason given, that the city has not sufficiently recovered to be able to host such an event.

Such large events are the city's bread and butter, and recognizing this, the city and state have worked to get convention capacity up and running quickly.    » read more »

Nov. 13, 2007 -- WASHINGTON - Louisiana Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco issued the following statement today while in Washington to thank Congress for its support of the Road Home program. Last week, Congress passed legislation providing $3 billion to Louisiana's recovery housing program. That legislation was signed by President Bush this morning.    » read more »

November 8, 2007 -- ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA— Republican presidential candidate and 10-term Texas Congressman Ron Paul voted Tuesday to uphold President Bush’s veto on the controversial water projects measure that authorizes over 900 projects that could cost $38 billion to complete. The measure, attached to a $215 billion spending bill, was condemned by Congressman Paul and many other House Republicans as an exercise in government waste and unsustainable deficit spending.    » read more »

A bi-partisan veto override in Congress will allow LA River restoration and revitalization projects to move forward

November 8, 2007 -- LOS ANGELES – Calling it a win for the revitalization efforts of the Los Angeles River, Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa applauded the bi-partisan vote taken by the United States Congress to override President Bush’s veto and enact the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (WRDA), a measure that includes a $25 million authorization for restoration and revitalization projects along the Los Angeles River.    » read more »

Legislation Important For Illinois

November 9, 2007 -- [WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today made the following statement in response to President Bush’s veto of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA):    » read more »

November 08, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, DC –U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) today submitted the following statement for the Congressional Record regarding the Veto Message on H.R. 1495, the Water Resources Development Act of 2007:    » read more »

1st Override Of A Bush Veto; Supported By Leahy, Sanders, Welch

WASHINGTON (Thursday, Nov. 8) – The U.S. Senate Thursday joined the House of Representatives in overriding President Bush’s veto of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) – the first time Congress has overridden a veto during the Bush Administration. The bipartisan Senate vote was 79 to 14 in favor of overriding the veto.

The bill authorizes water resources projects in Vermont and nationwide, which now will be subject to funding in the annual Appropriations process.    » read more »

Senators Say Measure Includes More Than $480 Million for State Projects Essential for NJ's Safety, Environment

November 8, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today voted to override President Bush’s veto of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). The measure would authorize more than $480 million in federal funds for Army Corps of Engineers projects in New Jersey.    » read more »

1st Override Of A Bush Veto; Supported By Leahy, Sanders, Welch

WASHINGTON (Thursday, Nov. 8) – The U.S. Senate Thursday joined the House of Representatives in overriding President Bush’s veto of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) – the first time Congress has overridden a veto during the Bush Administration. The bipartisan Senate vote was 79 to 14 in favor of overriding the veto.

The bill authorizes water resources projects in Vermont and nationwide, which now will be subject to funding in the annual Appropriations process.    » read more »