WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) -- Galveston Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas told Congress that the Federal Emergency Management Agency's disaster assistance protocols should be revamped so areas suffering as a result of Hurricane Ike can get the aid they need faster.
Thomas testified before a House Homeland Security subcommittee Tuesday about the uphill battle Galveston is waging to receive aid.
She told Congress that applications for aid had accumulated at FEMA without action and that the agency had demanded documents to support claims from people who had lost everything.
Thomas asked Congress to cut red tape and speed federal assistance to thousands of people who lost their homes to Hurricane Ike nearly six months ago.
The Houston Chronicle reports the chairman of the subcommittee called for a report within 30 days.
The chair of the Homeland Security Committee, Mississippi Democratic Congressman Bennie Thompson, said he was convinced "we can improve accountability and streamline the red tape."
(Copyright ©2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
