Bush denies request for federal aid for tornado-ravaged counties

Bush denies request for federal aid for tornado-ravaged counties

DES MOINES, Iowa The Bush administration has denied Governor Tom Vilsack's request for federal aid for Iowa's counties affected by severe weather in April.Vilsack had asked for Johnson, Jones and Muscatine counties to receive Presidential Disaster Declarations after a series of tornados swept across eastern Iowa, killing one and causing millions of dollars in damage. The declaration would have made federal money available for housing assistance and repairs.

Vilsack says he was -- quote -- "extremely disappointed" in Bush and would consider appealing the decision.

Vilsack says he has asked the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division to work with the Small Business Administration to obtain loans for those in the affected counties.

Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Link