Grassley Receives Commitment From U.S. Attorney General that Flood Victims Will be Provided Assistance
Press Release
GRASSLEY RECEIVES COMMITMENT FROM U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL THAT FLOOD VICTIMS WILL BE PROVIDED ASSISTANCE
At the urging of Senator Chuck Grassley during a congressional oversight hearing today, U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey committed that the Justice Department will provide any needed support for Iowa's flood victims.
"The Attorney General appears to know the severity of the floods that destroyed many parts of Iowa," Grassley said. "His commitment to ensure the Department looks out for flood victims is reassuring. The federal government must do all it can to help people whose lives have been turned upside down."
Grassley was pleased that Mukasey indicated that the Department of Justice would use lessons learned from previous disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina, to ensure that resources are available to oversee recovery efforts.
In addition, Grassley was glad to hear that the Attorney General committed that the Department would provide appropriate flexibility for Iowa law enforcement applications for COPS and Byrne/JAG grant funding and would give top priority to those with more pressing needs. Mukasey also referenced that the Bureau of Justice Assistance has implemented an emergency incident response program to field questions and provide technical assistance to impacted grantees.
"The Justice Department will have to take into account the fact that many communities will be attempting to navigate grant programs from under muddy waters and that they may need some extra time in submitting or amending applications for funding," Grassley said. "Attorney General Mukasey's desire to assist these communities is very much appreciated."
Grassley was also glad to hear that the Department has been working closely with state and local law enforcement to protect Iowans from scam artists, and while some incidents of state fraud have been reported, the Attorney General hadn't heard of any incidents of federal fraud so far.
Source