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

When Senator Cochran signed on as a co-sponsor to the original bill, it was a regular occurrence — practically an assumption — that Congress would pass large omnibus spending bills at the end of each year. Chairman Cochran proved last year that it was still possible to pass individual appropriations bills annually.

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.

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.

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

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.