Sen. Hillary Clinton Calls for Independent FEMA Probe

Sept. 7, 2005 — -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., today called for an independent commission to investigate the federal response to Hurricane Katrina -- including why help didn't get to victims more quickly.

"I think we need to get to the bottom of what did happen," Clinton told "Good Morning America." "I'm not interested in pointing fingers. I'm interested in getting answers."

"At the end of the day, just like 9/11, we need independent experts to take a hard look at everything that's been done," she added.

Clinton noted that Bush signed on Aug. 27 an emergency declaration for the Gulf Coast. She questioned why then the federal government "was not more willing, not more able, not more ready to help" the disaster area.

Clinton visited Houston on Monday with former President Clinton, where she heard firsthand from victims of Hurricane Katrina about the inadequacy of the federal response.

"They deserve answers," she said.

Bush has not responded to calls for an independent commission. Bush said Monday he will lead an investigation "to find out what went right and what went wrong," but didn't specify what kind of investigation that would be.

Federal emergency planning under Bush has become "a recipe for disaster," Clinton charged Tuesday, saying the Federal Emergency Management Agency ran far more effectively under her husband's watch.

Under FEMA's direction, 32,000 rescues were performed, 182,000 people have been housed in 559 shelters and 11.3 million meals and 18 million liters of water have been provided in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, according to the Department of Homeland Security.