U.S. Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-Ca) and U.S. Senator Harry Reid (D-Nv) Hold a News Conference On Hurricane Katrina Relief and Rebuilding Efforts

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U.S. Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-Ca) and U.S. Senator Harry Reid (D-Nv) Hold a News Conference On Hurricane Katrina Relief and Rebuilding Efforts

DEMOCRATS HOLD NEWS CONFERENCE ON HURRICANE KATRINA RELIEF AND REBUILDING EFFORTS

SEPTEMBER 15, 2005

SPEAKERS: U.S. SENATOR HARRY REID (D-NV), SENATE MINORITY LEADER

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE NANCY PELOSI (D-CA), HOUSE MINORITY LEADER U.S. REPRESENTATIVE BENNIE THOMPSON (D-MS)

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE GENE TAYLOR (D-MS)

[*] REID: Thank you all very much for being here this busy day. The families in the Gulf don't need to hear a speech from me and, frankly, they don't need to hear another speech from the president.

What they need is leadership. That's why we're here. To give our plan, to help families get back on their feet, back into their homes, and back on the job.

Let's be clear. Katrina: You know, what really was Katrina? It was a failure of leadership. The day before the hurricane made landfall, the president of the United States received a briefing on the enormity of the storm.

But when floodwaters poured into America's Gulf Coast, America's government sat on its hands.

We can't change that. It's in the past. But we can change our future. And make sure no American is left behind ever again.

Our first job is to help our neighbors, help our neighbors as quickly as possible. Our plan insists on housing, health care and classrooms for everyone who's lost everything.

For two weeks, we've been trying to get this relief our of Congress and to victims. But Republicans have held it up and the desperate are still waiting.

We can do better. We believe that one lesson of Katrina is that, in America, we don't leave anyone behind.

REID: Our rule on aid is: Be fair and be quick.

Never again will the federal government rescue some Americans and leave others who are less fortunate waiting behind.

Next, we need answers. In or...

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