WASHINGTON -- United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today commented on the Senate's passage of the Supplemental bill for Iraq and Afghanistan that includes $5.8 billion for Louisiana levees and $73 million for Gulf Coast low-income housing vouchers. The Senate had passed a much more robust $8.7 billion hurricane recovery package that Sen. Landrieu worked closely with Senate Appropriations Chairman Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va., to craft.

Sen. Landrieu said:

"This bill provides a foundation for some of the remaining recovery needs on the Gulf Coast, but the task is not completed. The House of Representatives unfortunately caved to White House demands and cut from this Supplemental critical funding the Senate had passed for our very real domestic emergency along the Gulf Coast. Gone are provisions to finally make our hospitals whole, to beef up our criminal justice system -- much of which is still operating out of trailers -- language to accelerate closure of MRGO. Also gone is the flexibility I added for Louisiana to pay back over 30 years its cost share for repairing the federal levees that broke in 2005.

"The House did, after a media onslaught, keep in the bill funding for 3,000 vouchers for extremely low income Louisianians who are seniors, disabled or both. It is a crucial provision that will go a long way toward keeping our most vulnerable population off the street.

"Chairman Byrd, however, has not forgotten the Gulf Coast, and has announced his intention to move a second, domestic emergency Supplemental that will include the lost funding and flexibility. Majority Leader Reid has also said he supports a second Supplemental that would include our funding. I am working with them to get this bill done as soon as the Senate returns from the upcoming July 4th recess. Our communities cannot wait any longer."