House Proceeding on Dec 19th, 2007 :: 3:26:09 to 3:28:32
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3:25:54 to 3:26:09( Edit History Discussion )

members have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material into the bill under consideration and yield myself as much time as i may consume.

3:26:09 to 3:26:29( Edit History Discussion )

Bobby L. Rush: the speaker pro tempore: without objection the gentleman is recognized. mr. conyers: members of the congress, this important legislation strengthens federal criminal prohibitions against fraudulent misuse

3:26:09 to 3:28:32( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Bobby L. Rush

3:26:29 to 3:26:44( Edit History Discussion )

Bobby L. Rush: of emergency andisaster relief funds. it passed the senate earlier this month without objectsition -- opposition. it is a good deal and one that the house -- bill and one that the house should

3:26:44 to 3:27:00( Edit History Discussion )

Bobby L. Rush: support. reports of fraud surfaced almost immediately after the federal emergency management agency began distributing funds congress had appropriated for disaster aid to victims of hurricane

3:27:00 to 3:27:16( Edit History Discussion )

Bobby L. Rush: katrina, hurricane rita, and hurricane wilma. these reports included allegations that funds had been misused to purchase luxury goods, the noneligible persons had applied for and received

3:27:16 to 3:27:39( Edit History Discussion )

Bobby L. Rush: benefits and that criminals had established phony katrina-related websites to swindle those who wishes to contribute to legitimate disaster assistance efforts. last year, the g.a.o. reported

3:27:39 to 3:27:55( Edit History Discussion )

Bobby L. Rush: th it had identified numerous instances of fraud in connection with katrina and rita disaster relief. although the total amount of cost of these fraud schemes is not yet known, the g.a.o.

3:27:55 to 3:28:09( Edit History Discussion )

Bobby L. Rush: estimates that it will certainly be in the amounts of billions of dollars. despite diligent efforts by federal law enforcement agencies to prosecute these schemes, current criminal laws are not adequate

3:28:09 to 3:28:21( Edit History Discussion )

Bobby L. Rush: to the task. the emergency and disaster assistance fraud penalty enhancement act addresses that shortcoming in several respects. the bill creates a new federal crime that specifically prohibits

3:28:21 to 3:28:32( Edit History Discussion )

Bobby L. Rush: fraud in connection with any emergency or disaster relief benefit as to both federal assistance and private charitable giving. with fines up to $250,000 for an individual and up to a half million

3:28:32 to 3:28:51( Edit History Discussion )

dollars for an organization and prison terms up to 30 years. the bill also increases prison terms for engaging in mail or wire fraud in connection with emergency or disaster relief to the same