Let's see the tape ...
Fall 2005: Hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit Louisiana.
Fall 2005 - Winter 2009: Bush Administration delays, delays and delays ...
Circa March 2009: Vitter (FINALLY) asks FEMA questions re: rebuilding
03/04/2009: Obama nominates former Florida Governor Jeb Bush's emergency management director to head up FEMA.
03/05/2009: Other Republicans laud the choice.
05/01/2009: The Sinning Senator Vitter places a hold on Fugate because he's waiting for some answers from FEMA that it took him 4 years to ask.
05/07/2009: Sinning Senator Vitter sends out a fundraising ask highlighting the hold on Fugate. Here's the text of the fundraising ask:
Yesterday, the Obama administration attempted to strong arm me to force a quick vote on the president's FEMA nominee. A coordinated effort then began when the National Democrat Senatorial Committee attacked me for not allowing Obama's FEMA nominee to glide through the confirmation process.
After being hit with four major hurricanes in the last 4 years, I can assure you that this isn't about politics. It's about FEMA inaction, about which we in Louisiana know all too well. I asked the Obama administration vital questions about our state's recovery over 70 days ago, yet FEMA's inefficient and ineffective bureaucracy remains.
Hmmm ... perhaps putting someone in charge of FEMA would help move matters along, no? Since there is no one in charge, no one is able to make a final decision on your question. And it's YOUR hold that is keeping Mr. Fugate from taking over FEMA, which means that you're responsible for the lack of answers.
I gave FEMA an F grade with a Republican president at the helm, and I'm not going to sit idly by without getting key answers from FEMA about rebuilding key emergency operations facilities, like fire stations, in our flood zones. This has nothing to do with Washington politics - it's about putting Louisiana and its citizens first.
You are putting Louisiana first? You won't sit idly by? That's why you're highlighting your obstructionism in a fundraising letter.
I have asked FEMA for a timeline on these important issues, because Louisiana's citizens have waited long enough - almost four years - for answers to move forward on rebuilding. The fact that Obama and FEMA are complaining about a short delay of this nomination brings their priorities into question.
Then why didn't you ask these questions of the the Bush Administration in the 3 years AFTER Hurricanes Katrina and Rita?
I'm eager to end this delay, but not before I have answers that will get Louisiana citizens direction on critical rebuilding projects. As this Congress moves forward, I will continue to provide oversight against the Obama administration when necessary to provide Louisiana the accountability and answers we deserve.
Nice to see that you only play politics with life and death issues when there's a political advantage - money for your re-election campaign - to be had. We could have used this oversight from 2006 to January 19, 2009. Thanks for all the oversight, Sinning Senator.
