January 13, 2009 5:39 PM

Bush Declares "Emergency" For Inauguration

By
Brian Montopoli
Topics
White House


(AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
President Bush today announced that an emergency exists in the District Of Columbia. That emergency? The inauguration of Barack Obama – or, rather, the fact that millions are expected to descend on the city to witness it.

By declaring an emergency, Mr. Bush opened the door for D.C. to get additional Federal funding to deal with the unique challenges that will accompany the influx.

An emergency declaration doesn't mean that a dangerous event has been identified or is expected to occur.

According to White House press secretary Dana Perino, the federal assistance is specifically available "for emergency protective measures that are undertaken to save lives and protect public health and safety."

Fifteen million dollars were allocated to D.C. last year for the Inauguration, and the additional funds will supplement that money if necessary.

District of Columbia Mayor Adrian M. Fenty requested the emergency declaration, the Associated Press reports, out of concerns that the city lacked the resources to protect the large crowds expected on Inauguration weekend.

If it is needed, the extra money would come from the budget of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Click Here For All Of CBSNews.com's Special Inauguration Coverage

Add a Comment See all 12 Comments
by enviro_wacko January 14, 2009 2:45 PM EST
I give President Obama until February 20 for the turncoat journalists (that''''s a joke using the word "journalists")start using their rapier wit on him.

Posted by ekucrew at 08:48 AM : Jan 14, 2009

Wow, this is somewhat of a random interjection. One little clue for you: if you have to explain "a joke" as you tell it, it probably isn''t very funny.
Reply to this comment
by ekucrew January 14, 2009 11:48 AM EST
I give President Obama until February 20 for the turncoat journalists (that''s a joke using the word "journalists")start using their rapier wit on him.
Reply to this comment
by liberalme January 14, 2009 10:11 AM EST
what you going too do when obama''''s
cought in the cookie jar and he will be Rezko Levine Auchi and
Patty Blagojevich

Posted by popstom11

You spell like Bush talks---Birds of a feather I guess.
Reply to this comment
by enviro_wacko January 14, 2009 7:13 AM EST
what you going too do when obama''''s
cought in the cookie jar and he will be Rezko Levine Auchi and
Patty Blagojevich

Posted by popstom11 at 01:28 AM : Jan 14, 2009

popstom11 clearly intimates the need for a new educational initiative: No Redneck, White Trash Left Behind.
Reply to this comment
by neocons_suck January 14, 2009 1:08 AM EST
Why do conservatives hate America so much?


Posted by neocons_suck

They don''''t hate America-they just hate getting caught, being wrong and people that are smarter than they are.

Posted by liberalme at 10:01 PM : Jan 13, 2009

So it''s just that they''re criminal and stupid and bitter about getting caught all the time?
Reply to this comment
by liberalme January 14, 2009 1:01 AM EST
Why do conservatives hate America so much?


Posted by neocons_suck

They don''t hate America-they just hate getting caught, being wrong and people that are smarter than they are.
Reply to this comment
by neocons_suck January 14, 2009 12:57 AM EST
Why do conservatives hate America so much?

Posted by neocons_suck


Naw, they don''''t hate America, they just hate anyone with a different point of view.

Posted by FLSunJnky at 09:53 PM : Jan 13, 2009

Right - they hate American pluralism. If they had their druthers, everyone would have to march around in lock step with a bible under one arm zig heiling, zig heiling.

Conservatives hate that America is free.
Reply to this comment
by flsunjnky January 14, 2009 12:53 AM EST
Why do conservatives hate America so much?

Posted by neocons_suck


Naw, they don''t hate America, they just hate anyone with a different point of view.
Reply to this comment
by neocons_suck January 14, 2009 12:35 AM EST
Good job Brownie.
Reply to this comment
by obeylaw January 13, 2009 10:17 PM EST
Oh ***! What next?
Reply to this comment
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