February 16, 2006 Contact: Leslie Phillips (202) 224-2627 SENATE APPROVES COLLINS-LIEBERMAN "KATRINA EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE ACT" Legislation Extends Disaster Unemployment Benefits, Allows Reimbursements to Communities for Emergency Supplies   The Senate today approved legislation introduced by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) that provides relief for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The Collins-Lieberman Katrina Emergency Assistance Act includes provisions that would extend disaster unemployment benefits, and would allow communities to be reimbursed for buying supplies that are purchased to help hurricane victims, such as linens, cots, and toiletries. “Our legislation ensures that federal aid for families devastated by Hurricane Katrina is commensurate with the magnitude of the disaster. It provides increased flexibility in disaster assistance while ensuring accountability,” said Senator Collins. “It is my hope that the President will act quickly to enact the measures outlined in our bill.” “The unemployment that continues to burden so many families is a grave reminder of how far we are from realizing our promise of hope to the proud people of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast,” said Senator Lieberman. “Extending the limited federal unemployment assistance by 13 weeks, just as we did after September 11th, is the least we can do to help these families still suffering from this terrible storm." The Katrina Emergency Assistance Act extends the length of benefits for Disaster Unemployment Assistance from 26 weeks to 39 weeks. It also gives unemployed persons more time to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance. The measure allows communities to be reimbursed for buying supplies, such as linens, cots, and toiletries which are distributed to Katrina victims, rather than only reimbursing those expenses incurred by the individuals themselves as allowed by current law. In addition, the legislation expresses a sense of Congress that deportation proceedings should be refrained from or suspended for international students who are being removed solely because of their inability to fulfill the terms of their visas as a result of Hurricane Katrina.   ###   Printable Version   « previous Press Release next Press Release »   1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 February 2006 Press Releases   February 23 - Lieberman Statement on Townsend Report   February 21 - Senators Collins, Lieberman, Coleman and Levin Express Concern over Sale of U.S. Port Operations to Dubai-Controlled Company   February 16 current Press Release   February 16 - Secretary Chertoff Testifies About DHS Failures in Response to Hurricane Katrina   February 15 - Senator Lieberman Delivers Statement at Hearing on Homeland Security Department's Preparation and Response   February 14 - Collins, Lieberman Hold Hurricane Katrina Hearing on Waste, Fraud and Abuse in FEMA's Assistance Programs   February 10 - Lieberman Says DHS Must Be Held Accountable   February 9 - Military Role in Katrina Response Seemed Cobbled Together   February 6 - Collins-Lieberman Hearing Exposes Confusion & Turf Battles Among Agencies Responding to Hurricane Katrina   February 6 - Lieberman Assails Administration Budget for Failing First Responders   February 6 - Lieberman Statement on Law Enforcement and Communications Problems Faced in Response to Hurricane Katrina   February 6 - Collins, Lieberman Express Concern Over Security Flaw in GSA Contractor Website   February 3 - Senators Collins & Lieberman Urge President Bush to Broaden Authority of Federal Coordinator for Hurricane Katrina Recovery   February 3 - Lieberman Urges DHS to Explain Why New Haven, SW Connecticut Are Ineligible for High Risk Homeland Security Grants   February 2 - Louisiana & Mississippi Governors Testify in Hurricane Katrina Hearing   February 1 - Collins-Lieberman Invite DHS Secretary to Work Together on FEMA Overhaul   February 1 - Senator Lieberman's Statement on Managing the Crisis and Evacuating New Orleans   February 1 - New Orleans Mayor Testifies at Hearing to Examine Public Officials' Responsibilities & Response to Katrina
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 340 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510