Senate Today: Profits from Rape of ANWR -> Hurricane Survivor Relief

[IndyOp]

It's been a while since I've felt this sick...

I just called Senator Landrieu's office to ask whether they are satisfied with the $29 billion in relief for the Gulf Coast in the "defense appropriations bill" that the Senate will vote on today (the same bill in which Alaskan Senator Ted Stevens includes opening ANWR to drilling).

You want to know WHY the White House's original offer of $19 billion in relief for Hurricane Survivors was raised to $29 Billion? Christmas Spirit? Political Necessity? No. The $$ for relief rose because money from ANWR drilling will flow into the pockets of the filthy rich - and a portion will be diverted to the Gulf Coast.

My naive question to a staffer at Senator Landrieu's office was whether the bill could be sent back to conference to remove ANWR so that what would be left would be defense appropriations and hurricane relief. (I am against the defense appropriations $$, but fully understand the money will be found one way or another). He directed me to the Senator's website.

Stupid.Stupid.Stupid Me.

PLEASE NOTE: None of the money from Raping ANWR will get to the Gulf Coast until 2008!

Please correct me if I have this wrong folks.

If I don't have it wrong CALL SENATORS NOW! Call Congress Toll Free: 1-800-426-8073.
Senators most likely to filibuster appropriations bill: Reid. Kerry. Boxer.

Send it back to conference, get ANWR out of there, send *real relief* to the Coast.

From Senator Landrieu's Website:

The Conference Committee resolving differences between the Senate and House versions of the Defense Appropriations Bill said in a summary circulated today that the compromise bill would support a Gulf Coast Recovery Fund though revenues generated by oil and gas production in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).

"This revenue-sharing mechanism is something our delegation has been working on for several years with Senator Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, and we are grateful to him for demonstrating how the wise use of our natural resources can not only provide greater energy independence, but also demonstrate responsible stewardship for our coast," Sen. Landrieu said.

"Senator Stevens brought this idea to fruition after seeing the devastation along our coast first hand, and tonight gives us renewed hope for comprehensive protection for all the parishes throughout south Louisiana. This measure lays the groundwork for the continuous, reliable funding stream our state will need to complete the effort over the long term; and our delegation plans to meet this need by continuing our fight to keep Louisiana's fair share of the oil and gas revenues generated off our coast."

The summary said that 80 percent of the $5 billion in federal bonus bids expected to be generated by lease sales in ANWR would go to the fund, as would 20 percent of ongoing royalties, expected to reach $40 billion over 30 years. Louisiana would receive 50 percent of the recovery funding, with the bid-generated funds being distributed in fiscal years 2008 and 2010 and royalty payments being distributed annually beginning in fiscal year 2015.

An additional $2 billion could be provided to the fund if the federal government generates more than $10 billion from the sale of analog broadcast spectrum licenses after the national transition to digital television is complete, the summary said. This replaces the $1.4 billion secured for this purpose from the so-called "spectrum funds" by Sens. Landrieu and David Vitter, R-La., in the Senate-passed Budget Reconciliation Bill last month.

"I encourage both the House and Senate to pass this bill, as well as the hurricane-focused Supplemental Appropriations Bill we reached a compromise on yesterday. Together, they represent significant action by Congress to begin providing the next stage of relief for the people of the Gulf Coast," said Sen. Landrieu, who has previously pledged to do everything possible to prevent Congress from recessing for the holidays without passing substantial hurricane relief legislation.

Yesterday, House and Senate negotiators agreed on a $29 billion Supplemental Appropriations Bill compromise, which includes $2.9 billion in funding for Louisiana levees and hurricane protection; $1.6 billion in funding to school districts which have taken in hurricane-displaced students; and $6.2 billion in Community Development Block Grants to help Louisiana communities rebuild.

http://landrieu.senate.gov/hurricanes/bills.cfm

By the way - in case you haven't seen it - the Senate has just passed the Ebenzer Scrooge budget: <http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5656709>

[flpoljunkie]

1. Senator Durbin said yesterday that Governor of Alaska can cancel deal--

the $29 billion in the Defense bill slated to go to Hurrican Katrina victims, so that including this money in the bill, is worthless to those ravaged by Katrina. Don't fall for their Rethug ploys!

[IndyOp]

2. Holy Shit -

All of this jockeying for favor and the Governor of Alaska can snap his fingers and cancel the deal.

Those SOB's -

Call REID and tell him to shut the Senate Down!

[LSK]

3. none of the money will ever go to NOLA

Remember how oil would pay for the Iraqi war?? Same lies. Same shit.