Oxford News

McKinney roils hurricane panel

Washington — Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-Ga.) asked Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff on Wednesday why he shouldn't be charged with negligent homicide for the federal government's apparent failure to save more Hurricane Katrina victims.

Pulling out a series of news reports as she questioned Chertoff during a House committee hearing, McKinney read the headline: "Nursing home owners charged in deaths," in the case of 34 residents who were not evacuated from the floodwaters in New Orleans.

"Mr. Secretary, if the nursing home owners are arrested for negligent homicide, why shouldn't you also be arrested for negligent homicide?" McKinney asked.

"It seems that chaos was the plan that was implemented," she said of the administration's slow response to the catastrophe. "Leadership, Mr. Secretary, was lacking."

Before Chertoff responded, panel member Rep. Henry Bonilla (R-Texas) protested that the questioning was "over the top" and said Chertoff should not have to answer.

He was overruled by the House select committee chairman, Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.).

"I think the secretary can take care of himself," said Davis, who later added, "Members are entitled to vent."

Chertoff responded that "it's horrible to contemplate" that some people were not promptly evacuated and given proper shelter and medical attention.

"It was enormously frustrating," he said. "As the hours rolled on between Tuesday [Aug. 30] and Wednesday and Thursday, I pushed harder and harder about why things weren't moving.

"I still don't have the full story about why some things weren't moving, and I look forward to having the answer to that," Chertoff said.