To help Louisiana rebuild from Hurricane Katrinas powerful blows, the states senators, Mary Landrieu (D) and David Vitter (R), have proposed a bill to give it $250 billion in federal aid, including about $180 billion in direct spending. The key question is how much of the massive 10-year plan, announced Sept. 22, Congress will approve. "Its kind of a laundry list," says one industry source. "The basic infrastructure stuff that the economy depends on is the most likely to get favorable consideration." A Senate appropriations aide is noncommittal, saying, "If it gets to the point that appropriations need to be made, then well look into that."
Landrieu acknowledges that the sum she and Vitter are seeking is large. But she says of the hurricanes aftermath, "Its a national tragedy and it needs an unprecedented national response."