Rep. Wamp: Bush administration 'stuttered' on Katrina

September 9, 2005

CHATTANOOGA (AP) -- Rep. Zach Wamp (R-Chattanooga) warned Friday that the $52 billion aid package could end up disappearing in corrupt political systems.

Wamp toured a hurricane evacuation center in Chattanooga Friday.

He says Hurricane Katrina exposed a preparedness problem all the way to the top in Washington.

The congressman says everyone in the executive branch and Congress must "share the responsibility" for the hurricane response.

He says the Bush administration stuttered initially, but caught their stride.

The congressman also says the estimated eventual $150 billion cost of Katrina, in addition to $200 billion for the war in Iraq, is good reason to at least delay expanding Medicare's prescription program.

The congressman and former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore attended a National Council on Readiness and Preparedness conference that was scheduled before Katrina.

Wamp and Gilmore both say local and state governments must take lead roles in preparing for natural disasters or terrorism.