FEMA Pays Out More Than $643 Million In Katrina And Rita Fraud

A Senate panel approves a bill forgiving the debts of disaster assistance recipient who were overpaid by FEMA. It's called the 2011 Disaster Assistance Recoupment Fairness Act. GovExec reports bill sponsor Senator Mary Pryor of Arkansas tightened up language ensuring that debt would not be waived in cases involving fraud. Since hurricanes Katrina and Rita, FEMA has paid out more than $7 billion in aid. DHS' inspector general found $643 million in improper payments because of human error and fraud. The bill now goes before the full Senate.