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This article reports that the U.S. Senate Democrats and Republicans appear to have dropped their temporary ceasefire prompted by the Gulf Coast disaster and have begun trading partisan shots over the chamber's pace in addressing legislation to provide relief and help recovery efforts. Democrats on Monday accused the White House and congressional Republicans of failing to adequately address emergency response and preparedness needs exposed by the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and argued the U.S. Congress must place new emphasis on the issue. At the same time, Republicans faulted Senate Democrats for stalling a relief package sought by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist that would lift work requirements for recipients of aid under the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.

Discusses the total costs of caring for victims of Hurricane Katrina and rebuilding the Gulf Coast region of the United States from the damages of the storm. Estimated amount to care for victims and rebuild from devastation, according to the U.S. Congress, indicating this could be the most expensive natural disaster in U.S. history; Speculation about setting up an ad hoc agency to manage the costs; Discussion of funding the relief spending through legislation; Daily amount being spent by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); Review of costs beyond immediate relief, noting the need to subsidize small-business disaster loans and the need for housing, individual income and health needs of residents displaced because of the storm.

The article reports that John Boehner, speaker of the U.S. House, failed to hold his party together during the voting on disaster-relief legislation.

The article reports that the Republicans in the U.S. Congress Senate has blocked a disaster-aid package of seven billion dollars that can provide fundings to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and help disaster victims but the Democrats are hopeful to passing the bill during ending debate.

The article reports on the move of U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu and other Democrats in providing six billion dollars in funding for relief from Hurricane Irene and daring Republicans to insist the money be offset to the disaster relief fund of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The articles deals with the decision of Democrats in the U.S. Senate not to approve additional 1-billion U.S. dollar to the Disaster Relief Fund of the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in an attempt to appropriate funds to the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program.

The article reports that U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that she is putting together a natural disaster relief package for states affected by Hurricane Ike, Hurricane Gustav, Western wildfires, severe tornadoes and record flooding that hit the Midwest this summer. Pelosi did not say how much funding she wants to provide. House and Senate Democrats hope to pass the package before Congress adjourns for the year.

The article reports that the language in the $3 billion agricultural disaster aid package was changed near the end to liberalize payments for some farmers, including Kansas wheat growers. Representative Jerry Moran said earlier that the bill would cover losses incurred by Feb. 28, 2007 but was changed so it would cover losses on crops planted by February 28. The change was important to Kansas, which grows winter wheat and in the last two years it has experienced natural calamities.

The article reports on the U.S. Congress legislative bill related to loans for disaster-affected people. The bill was passed by the House on April 18, 2007. It will bring changes to the Small Business Administration's disaster loan program. Now the agency will create a comprehensive disaster management program. The bill passed with 267 votes against 158 was prompted by delays in response to Hurricane Katrina and other hurricanes in 2005.

The article reports that lawmakers will debate a hurricane relief proposal sponsored by House Financial Services Committee Chairman Frank Barney. The Gulf Coast Hurricane Housing Recovery Act would allow greater flexibility to use already-approved hurricane relief funds that have yet to reach the region. The bill also provides assistance for rental housing for evacuees of the Hurricane Katrina.

This article reports that the U.S. Senate gave final approval today to a $108.9 billion FY06 emergency supplemental spending bill on a 78-20 vote. The measure funds operations in Iraq and Afghanistan at about $65.7 billion, and the Pentagon is pressing the Congress to complete action before departing for the Memorial Day recess at the end of the month. It also includes $28.9 billion for rebuilding needs in the Gulf Coast and disaster relief in other areas; $4.5 billion in foreign aid to Iraq, Iran, Sudan and other nations; $2.6 billion for security along the U.S.-Mexico border and port security; $2.6 billion to prepare for a possible pandemic flu outbreak and compensate those injured by experimental drugs; $3.9 billion in aid to farmers and ranchers hit by drought, frost, floods and other disasters; and $35.6 million for mine safety. President George W. Bush and the House argue that the emergency bill is tailored to provide funds for the war effort, Gulf Coast hurricane relief, and more recently they have acknowledged the need to address the potential flu pandemic.

This article reports that the National Farmers Union and the American Farm Bureau Federation made a rare joint appearance today at a news conference to promote an agricultural disaster aid bill. The two groups usually differ on farm policy, but National Farmers Union President Tom Buis and Texas Farm Bureau President Kenneth Dierschke appeared at the news conference, with Senate Budget Committee ranking member Kent Conrad, Senator Byron Dorgan and Senate Finance Committee ranking member Max Baucus, on behalf of a bill that Conrad introduced last year to compensate farmers for weather-related losses and high energy costs in 2005. The bill has 24 co-sponsors, including seven Republicans, but no GOP members appeared at the news conference.

This article reports that U.S. House Republican leaders unanimously endorsed a proposal to block a deal to give Dubai Ports World operating control over six U.S. seaports, using the supplemental spending bill for Iraq and Afghanistan and hurricane relief as the vehicle. U.S. House Appropriations Committee Chairman Michael Lewis will offer an amendment today addressing the issue during the full committee markup of the supplemental. House Majority Leader John Boehner and other senior Republicans have voiced frustration at the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush for failing to see the political pitfalls of the deal, and for inadequate communication with congressional leaders.

Presents an update related to public expenditures in the U.S. as of October 3, 2005. Information on the Protecting Essential Louisiana Infrastructure, Citizens and Nature bill proposed by Louisiana Senators Mary Landrieu and David Vitter in response to the spending needs following the onslaught of Hurricane Katrina; Criticism of Representative Jeff Flake (R.-Ariz.) on the legislative responses to hurricanes Katrina and Rita; Total amount of spending on conference-related travel, hotel accommodations and meals by several federal cabinet agencies.

The article presents information on the comments of U.S. Representative Mike Pence of Indiana, chairman of the Republican Study Committee, discussing the need to offset the cost of relief bills.

Presents the partial list of the programs cut under the bill which is expected to be signed into a law by US President Bill Clinton that provides funds for disaster relief and other purposes.