Bennie Thompson fights FEMA effort to recoup hurricane payments

Lawmakers fight FEMA effort to recoup hurricane payments

Democratic Reps. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi and Cedric Richmond of Louisiana on Wednesday introduced legislation that would block the Federal Emergency Management Agency from recouping money that it paid to victims of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma because of an agency error.

“It is just plain wrong and unfair for FEMA to be asking for recoupment payments years later when many of these individuals are still struggling to rebuild their lives,” said Thompson, the top Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee and Mississippi’s 2nd District congressman.

Clarion Ledger
6/25/11