Reversing Bush's Assault on Katrina Victims' Wages

The first step President Bush took after Hurricane Katrina struck was to eliminate the prevailing wage in reconstruction contracts. We joined with the AFL-CIO and others groups to challenge a policy that would undermine recovery in the area. Our supporters flooded Capitol Hill with tens of thousands of letters opposing President Bush's decree. Our letters helped move every single House Democrat and Independent to co-sponsor a bill to rescind the President's anti-worker decree.

After the Democrats were united, follow-up emails heaped pressure on moderate Republicans, and 37 of them signed a letter to President Bush demanding that he reinstate fair wages for Gulf survivors. Soon after Democrats and moderate Republicans united to stand strong for fair wages, the President backed down, restoring fair wages for reconstruction workers. The New York Daily News reported that President Bush is "frustrated," "angry" and "bitter" that his priority agenda items are being stymied at every turn.