Dean: "President Bush Should Keep His Word On Katrina Funding"

Today the Senate passed Iraq legislation to change course in the war. Democrats included a provision that would waive the 10 percent federal match requirement for areas devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and provide $1.3 billion in funding for levee repair. Unfortunately, President Bush has decided to use divisive rhetoric promising to veto the funding and refusing to waive the match requirement which has been waived in previous disaster situations.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement:
"Democrats are fulfilling our promises to make the Gulf Coast recovery effort a priority and doing what President Bush should have done in the first place. President Bush should stand with the people of the Gulf Coast and support this important funding that addresses the needs of our American families who remain homeless and displaced. President Bush's refusal to help the people of the Gulf Coast rebuild their lives and his decision to be combative will not accomplish anything. These are our fellow Americans and the President should put aside his harsh partisan rhetoric and do what's right for families in the Gulf Coast. Furthermore, he should once and for all honor the promises that he has made by leading the federal effort to help rebuild the Gulf Coast."