WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senators Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., and David Vitter, R-La., today introduced the Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief and Economic Recovery Act, a comprehensive piece of legislation to provide long-term relief and much-needed assistance to the people of Louisiana and the Gulf Coast as they work to recover and rebuild the region.

"This unprecedented national tragedy will require an unprecedented national response," said Sen. Landrieu. "It will require unity, passion and bold innovative thinking, and a strong commitment from the federal government. Today, I am proud to stand with my partner, Senator Vitter, to introduce this legislation that shows in its very essence the promise that the federal government is going to stand with the people of Louisiana and give the tax payers who have been devastated by this disaster the support they deserve."

"The entire Louisiana Congressional delegation has been working together on all of the major help that we're going to need from the federal government since Hurricane Katrina hit. We've focused on not just short-term relief, but the medium- and long-term recovery needed by Louisiana and the Gulf Coast," said Sen. Vitter. "I am pleased to introduce this legislation in the Senate with my colleague Senator Landrieu, which represents specific, concrete initiatives to help our state's recovery efforts."

The Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief and Economic Recovery Act calls for substantive future federal investments in state, local and private sectors. A bipartisan and bicameral effort supported by the entire Louisiana delegation, companion bills have been and will be introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"While it is extremely important to rebuild Louisiana's infrastructure, it is equally vital that we create jobs for our people," said Sen. Vitter. "I'm particularly interested in making sure this recovery is led by the private sector as much as the public sector, which is why this legislation includes tax relief for families, tax credits for businesses, depreciation and other tax incentives to make sure we get businesses and jobs back to southeast Louisiana."

"This legislation is the first step to Louisiana being rebuilt by Louisianians," said Sen. Landrieu. "This package and the bold new ideas included in it are not coming down from Washington, but up from Louisiana. We have heard the ideas of all people in the state: our statewide elected officials, our local leaders, our business and labor organizers, our faith-based community, our first responders, and many more. Truly, out of the muddy waters of our flood ravaged state, this package was born."

For a summary of the legislation, please visit the Senators' websites this afternoon at http://landrieu.senate.gov and http://vitter.senate.gov.