He sees a discussion about moving FEMA from under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security as an excellent starting point in efforts to make the federal government more responsive in emergencies.

I think it is unfortunate that some of the proposals being discussed single out the Appropriations Committee in regard to earmark reform. Chairman Cochran hopes any reform measures that the Senate adopts will provide parity across committees and reflect Congress's constitutional responsibility to direct the appropriation of funds.

We favor state control over federal bureaucracy. The needs in Mississippi are vastly different than the needs in California.

Certainly, I'd think Beauvoir would be eligible and a priority. Thousands of historic structures were damaged by last year's hurricanes. These funds are important to ensure the full economic and cultural recovery of the Coast.

These funds are important to ensure the full economic and cultural recovery of the coast.

These are the staff members that will be writing the next spending bill for Katrina Relief. These staff members will be advocating and lobbying for the relief funds.

The Senate Appropriations Committee wants to hear from the Mine Safety and Health Administration in order to determine whether current regulations are adequate and if proper measures are being taken to enforce these regulations. It is important for the committee to know the federal government is doing all it can to ensure that another Sago mine disaster does not happen again.

(Cochran) hopes to include in his bill new ways to provide comfortable, safe and efficient housing for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.