Fugate confirmed as FEMA chief

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WASHINGTON, May 13 (UPI) -- The Senate confirmed Craig Fugate as administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency after Sen. David Vitter, R-La., dropped his hold on the nominee.

Vitter stalled action on Craig's nomination for 12 days, complaining that FEMA is slow on hurricane rebuilding projects, The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune reported Wednesday.

Vitter dropped his hold Tuesday after receiving a letter from FEMA's acting administrator said the agency also wanted "to achieve solutions that meet the needs and are in the best interests of those affected."

"Louisianans have gotten way too many easy spoken assurances from FEMA over the last four years that didn't mean anything, " Vitter said. "Now that I've secured a specific written commitment ... we can move forward."

Fugate, who ran Florida's emergency management agency under two Republican governors, was confirmed on a voice vote.