Jackson Free Press

On February 19, I posted a press statement concerning Lott's position on FEMA. Well, he's flip-flopped again. Check out my latest press statement.

PRESS STATEMENT FROM THE FLEMING FOR US SENATE CAMPAIGN

TO: All Mississippi Media
FROM: Representative Erik R. Fleming, D-Clinton (601) 488-0364, (601) 473-9067
DATE: July 17, 2006
RE: Fleming says Lott’s flip-flopping on FEMA

CLINTON, MS—-State Representative Erik R. Fleming, D-Clinton, a Democratic candidate for the US Senate in 2006, offered a response today to US Senator Trent Lott’s position on the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Fleming said: "Trent Lott has shown his mastery of flip-flopping on issues concerning Mississippians. Last week, Senator Lott voted to keep FEMA in the Department of Homeland Security when the Senate approved the $32 billion DHS Budget, which changes the name of FEMA to the US Emergency Management Agency.

“On February 15, 2006, Senator Trent Lott made this statement:

‘When the Department of Homeland Security several years ago was created from many agencies, I questioned the wisdom specifically of placing FEMA, our first line of emergency preparation and response, within that department, anticipating all the red tape and decision-making paralysis that would result. Within hours of Katrina, my worst fears were realized, and even today, the impact of that decision is hurting our relief effort in Mississippi.’

“However, I pointed out in a February 19, 2006 press statement that in November of 2002, when H.R. 5005, the bill that created the Department of Homeland Security, was debated, Senator Lott did not express publicly those concerns. In fact, he offered no amendments and opposed every amendment that was offered. On November 19, 2002, the gentleman from Pascagoula, along with 89 other senators, voted for the bill with the FEMA language in it.

“Two things are for certain. One, it is hard to pinpoint Senator Lott’s position on this issue. Two, Lott’s latest flip-flop is opposite to what is in the best interest of this state and the nation. The FEMA name change should not have been the only change that happened. I still contend that the new USEMA should be a separate cabinet level agency, free from the bureaucratic embarrassment that is the Department of Homeland Security.

“It is also obvious that if Mr. Lott still wielded great power because of his seniority in the Senate, then the USEMA would have become a stand-alone agency. Again, the gentleman from Pascagoula has failed to deliver for his citizens and has shown a lack of commitment to the issues that greatly impact us here in Mississippi.”

—30—