Lawmakers rap flood aid, plan hearings

WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 (UPI) -- Members of Congress from both parties agree that the federal response to Hurricane Katrina fell far short of what was needed.

They promised hearings to determine what had gone wrong, the New York Times said Saturday.

"Hard lessons have been learned; tragic lessons have been learned," said Missouri Rep. Roy Blunt, the No. 3 Republican in the House. "We have to respond more quickly; we have to respond in the right ways and be sure our priorities are right."

The lawmakers spoke as Congress sent President Bush a $10.5 billion emergency aid bill. They said the money was just a first installment in what was expected to be an expensive and prolonged relief and recovery effort.

Before the House action, members of the Congressional Black Caucus charged the government had abandoned many poor and frail victims, most of them members of minorities.

"Shame, shame on America," said Rep. Diane Watson, D-Calif. "We were put to the test, and we have failed."