NEW REPORT: Gulf Coast recovery hinges on action in Congress

This week marks the 18-month anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. The Gulf Coast is still in crisis -- tens of thousands of people are still displaced, the region's recovery stalled due to a lack of housing, jobs, schools and other basic needs.

Today, Gulf Coast Reconstruction Watch has released A New Agenda for the Gulf (pdf), a 14-page report documenting the scope of the crisis in the Gulf. The report also reveals that -- while state and local leadership is important -- many of the most impressing issues go straight to Washington, and that federal action is needed to jump-start the recovery.

The report gives over 30 action steps Congress and the President can take now to help turn things around.

President Bush and the new Congressional leadership have all said Katrina and the Gulf Coast are still a top priority. It's time for them to live up to their promises and responsibility, and help rebuild the Gulf South.