Security - What's New - Archive

WomenMatter will continuously post updates on all this and other issues as we monitor the continuing philosophical and practical debates nationwide. Please check back often for updates. Past updates are available for reference on the Security Archives page.

Figuring Out What Went Wrong: Congress Battles over Oversight

The White House and Congress have responded to the public outcry over the sluggish emergency response to Hurricane Katrina, with both branches of government vowing to conduct detailed investigations.

But the parties don’t agree on how to organize the probe, and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle wielded criticisms of the others’ approach.

Republican proposal

Republicans in Congress want a panel comprised of members from committees with authority over the different aspects of the federal response. The panel would span both chambers, with the ratio of Republicans to Democrats proportional to their representation in the House and Senate. This means that Republicans would outnumber Democrats on the committee.

Republicans consider this approach bipartisan, but Democrats do not. Republicans criticize Democrats for objecting to and therefore slowing the oversight process. Further, Republican leaders claim that their proposal is based on the Iran-contra oversight hearings that were organized and dominated by Democrats.

Democratic proposal

Democrats object to a Republican-heavy panel, doubting that Bush’s party will be able to scrutinize the administration’s performance during and after the disaster. Democratic House Leader Nancy Pelosi (California) demands instead an evenly divided committee with the power to subpoena witnesses.

The Republican plan provides only Republicans with subpoena power.

Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton (New York) is calling for an independent panel modeled after the 9-11 Commission. In response to President Bush’s offer to direct the probe himself, Clinton argued that the government should not be investigating itself and that an outside, objective group was needed.

So far, neither the Republicans’ nor Democrats’ approach has been implemented.

Relief bill

On September 8, 2005, Congress passed its second appropriations bill in response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster, providing $51.8 billion to the relief effort.

During the debate, Democrats objected to Republican tactics that prevented the bill from being amended. Republicans brought the bill to the floor "under suspension of the rules," meaning no member could amend the legislation. Democrats had hoped to introduce an amendment that would rework the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) while providing the additional funds. Congressman David Obey (D-Wisconsin) called FEMA "dysfunctional and chaotic," suggesting reforms were needed as well as money.

Obey, who serves as the ranking member of the Appropriations Committee, said he will refuse Republicans procedural waivers in the future, since the majority party refused to cooperate with Democrats.

Should FEMA be reformed? If so, when? Is Congressman Obey right when he says that "federal money is being spent by a disabled agency [FEMA]"? What kind of committee should investigate the response to Hurricane Katrina? Since oversight is one of Congress’ main duties, should the House and Senate perform the probe, or is an independent panel better equipped to investigate what went wrong?

What do you think?

WomenMatter is a place to discuss life issues with other women. We don’t want to wedge women apart, but rather bring them together to dialogue. To participate in our blog, click here.

WomenMatter encourages women to educate themselves on the issues and then approach their representatives with ideas.

Your voice is vital. Make sure your leaders know what’s important to you. To see how your representatives vote and to contact them, click here.

WomenMatter is dedicated to empowering women to participate in the political process. To do this we have invested in the most in-depth NONPARTISAN information, because we trust each woman to make up her own mind.

• We track nine issues every week and update this website several times a week.
• We launch after school GirlsMatter Clubs in middle and high schools to grow the next generation of politically aware women through a full curriculum and startup kit on girlsmatter.com.
• We do continuous research to make sure that we are meeting the needs of women across the country of all ages, races, incomes, preferences, and religions.
• We provide partnerships with nonpartisan organizations that provide services to women and advocate for them.

We offer all our services free of charge without memberships or subscriptions. To help us maintain this work - not just in election years but as a continuing part of women’s lives - please make a tax deductible donation, click here.

Update Posted on: 9/11/2005