Hostettler votes against Katrina Aid package

INDIANAPOLIS - All but one member of Indiana's congressional delegation voted Thursday to send an additional $51.8 billion to help victims of Hurricane Katrina in the ravaged Gulf Coast.\nRep. John Hostettler was one of only 11 House members -- all Republicans -- to oppose the measure that received overwhelming support from members of both parties and the White House.\nThe Associated Press left messages by phone and e-mail Thursday night seeking comment from Hostettler's office.\nThe supplemental aid package passed 410-11 in the House and 97-0 in the Senate.\n"Finally, some good things are happening," said Cam Savage, a spokesman for Rep. Mike Sodrel, R-Ind., who voted in favor of the bill. "We're seeing some progress in the Gulf Coast and they need this money to keep these good things happening."\nHostettler's office did not issue a statement following the vote, but others who voted in opposition said the aid should be balanced with spending cuts elsewhere or that the funding came with too little oversight.The White House said $50 billion of the $51.8 billion bill would be distributed through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The money will be used for housing and grants, and debit cards that will be given to refugees.\nState and local governments are expected to receive $7.7 billion in reimbursement costs.\nEarlier, Congress approved a $10.5 billion aid package for the Gulf Coast. Thursday's vote brought the total in federal disaster aid to $62.3 billion.