Congressional and Other Oversight

Senate

S 1738 is a bi-partisan proposal introduced by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Joseph Lieberman (D-CT), the chair and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs to introduce legislation that would extend the oversight authority of the Inspector General for Relief and Reconstruction in Iraq to Katrina-related contracts. See release from Senate Committee on homeland Secuirty and Governmental Affairs.

Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) has introduced S 1720, the Katrina Waste, Fraud, and Abuse Deterrence Act of 2005. The bill provides criminal sanctions for crimes involving Katrina relief funds. See related release.

A bi-partisan proposal has also been introduced to establish a hurricane recovery CFO within the executive to coordinate agency spending (S 1700, HR 3813). See release from Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK).

Senator John Thune (R-SD) introduced S. 1761, the Gulf Coast Recovery Act, to cap private contractors' liability.
The bill would:
* Direct any claims to be handled in federal court
* Prohibit private individuals from suing federal contractors
* Prohibit the award of punitive damages
* Prohibit assessment of non-economic damages unless there is physical harm

House

On September 27, Rep. Waxman and Rep. Pelosi introduced the Anti-Cronyism and Public Safety Act.

The Hurricane Katrina Accountability and Contracting Reform Act, (H.R. 3838), which was introduced by House Government Reform Committee ranking member Henry Waxman (D-CA) with support from minority leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and other members. The bill would create an independent commission, modeled after the bipartisan 9/11 commission, to prevent fraud and abuse in Hurricane Katrina-related contracts.

Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA) and Government Management, Finance, and Accountability subcommittee chair Todd Platts (R-PA) have also introduced a bill (HR 3810) that would establish a Special Inspectors General Council for Hurricane Katrina to ensure accountability for spending. Related release.

Rep. Meek (FL) introduced a proposal (HR 3805) to establish an IG for natural disasters within the DHS IG's office. Release.

Proposals to create a select committee to monitor and investigate the awarding and carrying out of contracts related to the relief and reconstruction efforts have been introduced by Rep. Leach (R-IA) and Tierney (D-MA) (H RES 449), and Rep. Tancredo (R-CO) (H Res 435).