February 16, 2006 Contact: Leslie Phillips (202) 224-2627 SECRETARY CHERTOFF TESTIFIES ABOUT DHS FAILURES IN RESPONSE TO HURRICANE KATRINA   The Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Michael Chertoff, today testified at a hearing of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Committee Chairman Susan Collins (R-ME) and Ranking Member Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) held today’s hearing to examine the Department’s actions in dealing with Hurricane Katrina. The Senators pointed out that the mission statement of DHS includes, “preparing for natural disasters and terrorist attacks through planning, technology, and coordinated efforts. In the event of a natural or man-made disaster, DHS will be the first federal department to utilize a full range of state, local, and private partnerships to alleviate the effects of a potential disaster.” The hearing focused on problems such as the federal government’s lack of preparedness for Hurricane Katrina, inadequate leadership by DHS and FEMA officials, poor communications and situational awareness, and delays in the delivery of appropriate emergency aid and supplies to victims. “The federal department that was supposed to lead, direct, and coordinate the federal response to Katrina was, time and again, late, uncertain, and ineffective,” said Senator Collins. “If DHS failed so utterly in preparing for and responding to a disaster that was long predicted and imminent for days, we must wonder how much more profound the failure would be if a disaster were to take us completely by surprise, such as a terrorist attack.” "Secretary Chertoff, as head of the Department of Homeland Security, had a responsibility to lead the federal government's preparations for and response to Hurricane Katrina,” Senator Lieberman said. “Instead, his failures let the nation down and increased the suffering that Katrina caused." Today’s hearing was the 20th in a series of hearings that are part of the committee’s investigation into the government’s preparation for and response to Hurricane Katrina. Chairman Collins and Ranking Member Lieberman expect to release a committee report on their investigation by the middle of March.   ###   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 - Senate Approves Collins-Lieberman "Katrina Emergency Assistance Act"   February 16 current Press Release   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