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Posted on Thu, May. 18, 2006 Katrina money bill doubtful Cochran: Bush not backing it By GEOFF PENDER capitalbureau@aol.com JACKSON - U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran says it's looking doubtful that an additional $28.9 billion in Katrina spending approved this month by the Senate will pass, primarily because of lack of support from the White House. The House and Senate are in negotiations on the measure, but Cochran says he's heard from House leaders "that if the president doesn't ask for it, then they're not going to approve it." "I think President Bush feels a lot of pressure to show leadership in holding down the deficit, even though the deficit because of how well the economy is doing is about $100 billion less than had been projected," Cochran said. "But in spite of that reality, I think the White House advisers have convinced (Bush) that he's got to be shown holding down spending." Cochran helped shepherd the passage late last year of the $29 billion Katrina relief package that was nearly double what Bush had recommended. But Cochran said he doesn't foresee much more federal Katrina spending "for the balance of this fiscal year," which ends in September, although he predicts more can be secured next year. "We are working hard every minute to get as much as we can justify," Cochran said. The current Senate proposal has $700 million to move the CSX railroad tracks, a move proposed long before Katrina and seen by some as key to rebuilding a better Coast. A vacated rail line would allow construction of a new east-west highway, taking traffic off U.S. 90 and allowing it to return to a scenic beach boulevard. But Cochran said, "We haven't received any encouragement about that from the House at this point."
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