By Eileen Buckley
Washington, DC – Senator Hillary Clinton has called on the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide a "full and detailed accounting" of money spent and promised to New York in the wake of last September's terrorist attacks. Her request comes amid concerns that some hard-hit by the attacks are not receiving assistance.
Clinton says the accounting is necessary to ensure that FEMA resources are used effectively and efficiently.
"I want to make sure the money is getting where it needs to go," Clinton said. "I was pleased to learn today that FEMA is taking steps in this direction. The director provided a list of FEMA expenditures to date, showing the allocation of $2 billion of the $6 billion that we've thus far appropriated."
Clinton has also introduced a bill that would enable FEMA to get around some of the constraints it faces because of the current legislation under which it operates. Clinton says this bill would allow FEMA to reimburse private non-profits, such as the Legal Society in New York.
The agency had suffered physical damage and the loss of some equipment while trying to provide critical services to those directly impacted by last September's terrorist attacks.