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.

If we ever needed more of a reason not to do Social Security reform, this is it, because of the cost required. It's going to be a question of priorities, a question of whether Republicans are going to want to stand on the Senate floor and support more tax cuts for the wealthy.

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.

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

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