Next Katrina spending measure might wait until after October recess

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is expected to have enough cash on hand to continue relief efforts into late October, likely pushing back consideration of another emergency spending bill until after the Columbus Day recess, congressional aides said Monday.

But Hurricane Rita -- which reached Category 2 status on Tuesday -- might change that picture. And with the scope of damaged facilities and drained coffers across some 30-odd other federal agencies being sorted out, lawmakers still might have to provide a cash infusion before Congress leaves town Oct. 7 for a one-week recess.

Of the $62.3 billion already appropriated for the relief effort, $60 billion was earmarked for FEMA; as of Wednesday afternoon, the agency had $48.5 billion remaining in its disaster relief account.

Some estimates peg FEMA spending on a daily basis as having ratcheted down to a still-copious $500 million from a high of as much as $2 billion just over a week ago. And expectations are that FEMA's cash flow will last two or three weeks beyond the initial estimate of Oct. 7.

Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Thad Cochran, R-Miss., said it was too early to say when Congress would need to act on a new supplemental aid request, as cost estimates were still being tallied.

"We're in preliminary discussions already with the administration on when that money will be needed, when will it be considered by the Senate, when the request will be submitted," Cochran said. "These are issues that we are working hard to resolve to be sure that federal agencies, agencies that have the responsibility of responding to this disaster, have the funds they need to do it and do it right and to do it quickly."

Many congressional Republicans are raising concerns about growing costs and the swelling federal deficit, and President Bush is proposing to trim government spending, although he has not identified specific offsets.

Senate Budget Committee Chairman Judd Gregg, R-N.H., Monday noted the total federal commitment thus far, including supplementals, tax cuts and other legislation, is about $64.6 billion, with another $10.8 billion having passed the Senate. White House officials have said the eventual tally might approach $200 billion.

Finding offsets in this environment will be politically difficult to achieve, however, as the extent of Gulf Coast devastation continues to unfold. Already the Education Department is asking for $2.45 billion in emergency aid, while school administrators are urging support for five times that amount. NASA, extremely popular among congressional Republicans and a Bush favorite, has said it will need $1.1 billion to repair facilities in Mississippi and Louisiana.

The Air Force had told congressional officials it needs about $4 billion for repairs, while airports, national parks, roads, prisons and power plants, will need what might be billions in additional funds. Even the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the subject of bitter partisan wrangling earlier this year over proposed budget cuts, is asking for emergency funds to repair damage, expand local storm coverage and provide information.

The next supplemental request is almost certain to contain emergency agricultural assistance tailored to the Gulf Coast region. But farm groups and their backers in Congress are angling for assistance for other parts of the country, including Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Illinois and Iowa, and senators are eyeing the $100.7 billion fiscal 2006 Agriculture appropriations bill as a possible vehicle in the absence of the next aid request.

In a Statement of Administration Policy on Monday, the White House expressed opposition to any such amendments during Senate floor debate this week.

John Stanton contributed to this report.