HARRIS, FOLEY JOIN THE CHORUS QUESTIONING FED RESPONSE

The choir of legislators assailing the federal government for it's slow response after Katrina slammed the Gulf South is truly bipartisan. Even Congresswoman Katherine Harris (R - Longboat Key) has offered criticism. She told the Hartford Courant how important a quick response is to an area in the aftermath of such an event, recalling how parts of her Southwest Florida district were devestated by last year's hurricane trifecta. "We're all disappointed by the tardiness" was her response to how the feds responded to Katrina.

Another Republican congressman, Mark Foley (R - West Palm Beach), has introduced legislation to reestablish the Federal Emergency Management Agency as an independent agency within the executive branch. It has 11 cosponsors from both sides of the aisle. Similar legislation has been introduced by Senator Hilary Rodham-Clinton (D - NY).