WASHINGTON, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- The Bush administration wants Congress to ease a funding rule to pay the salaries of Louisiana's first responders when Hurricane Katrina hit the state.
The White House says it will ask Congress for use of federal funds to pay government employees now left strapped for cash, reports CNN.
Under current disaster relief rules, federal funds can be used only for overtime pay for such employees and not their base salaries.
The White House expects Congress to vote on the request by the end of the week.
U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon, D-La., who made the request to Bush, said: "I am glad to see that the president understands that and is making an effort to keep these parishes from collapsing completely. I hope Congress will follow suit."
Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco was quoted as saying that the state has a $1 billion deficit and is running out of money to pay police officers, firefighters and other emergency workers in the affected areas.
