Scalise Applauds Creation of New FEMA Panel that will Speed up Unresolved Recovery Projects

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Washington, DC -- Congressman Steve Scalise today made the following comment after Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the plans for a new Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) arbitration panel that will help Southeast Louisiana Communities obtain the necessary public assistance funding.

“This new arbitration process will allow us to finally break the logjam that has prevented us from solving many of the recovery projects that have been stuck in FEMA's bureaucracy,” Scalise said. “While it's been a long time coming, our delegation has been united in working to create this fast-track process. There are far too many important recovery projects that remain unresolved, and I am encouraged that FEMA is taking this important step to speed up our continued recovery efforts.”

The panel is created under the FEMA public assistance program to expedite recovery from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita within the Gulf Coast Region.  The arbitration panel shall have sufficient authority regarding the award or denial of disputed public assistance applications for covered hurricane damage for a project the total amount of which is more than $500,000.

###

Contact: Luke Bolar
202-226-4309