November 6, 2007 at 20:38:01

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Now, Republicans Threaten to Hold Road Home Money AND Congress Hostage

By Georgianne Nienaber (about the author)     Page 2 of 2 page(s)

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Louisiana officials don’t care where the money comes from, but issued a statement expressing thanks to the Democratic majority for their compromise efforts. LRA chairman Norman C. Francis said, "I also join thousands of homeowners in giving an extra special thanks to leaders in the House and Senate, especially Speaker Pelosi and Majority Whip Clyburn. They have been our partners, staying the course and delivering on their commitments. Their record of support gives me great hope and confidence that the full Congress will swiftly pass this conference report."

This committee report just two weeks after Francis, Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin, New Orleans Recovery Director Ed Blakely, and LRA Executive Director Andy Kopplin concluded a series of successful meetings with key Congressional leaders and Bush administration officials in Washington, DC where they urged swift action to address the Road Home funding shortfall.

To date, the Road Home has received more than 184,000 applications, and more than 67,000 homeowners have received their awards, totaling more than $4.2 billion. At the current rate of grant payouts of 10,000 a month, and at the current average award per grant of $70,000 per homeowner, the Road Home program is projected to exhaust its existing budget just after the first of the year.

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated South Louisiana, claiming 1,464 lives, destroying more than 200,000 homes and 18,000 businesses.

OpEdNews is here in New Orleans, and people just want to go home. But, the road home is long and hard and sad.

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