"In September 2006, Congress passed the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 ("the Act"), which President Bush signed into law in October 2006. The Act, which implemented many of the recommendations from the Committee's investigation, creates a new FEMA - with responsibilities, missions, capabilities, and resources far exceeding those of FEMA at the time of Hurricane Katrina - by vesting greater autonomy and elevating the status of FEMA and its leaders within the Department. Among other things, unlike its predecessor, the new FEMA is: (1) a distinct entity within DHS, with protections similar to those afforded the U.S. Coast Guard; (2) focused on all-hazards preparedness, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery; and (3) responsible for the entire cycle of emergency management, including the management of close to $2 billion in grants to help State and local officials and first responders prepare for terrorist attacks and natural disasters. In debating the Act, Congress decided to strengthen FEMA within the Department of Homeland Security in recognition of the fact that the kinds of catastrophic disasters the nation must prepare for requires resources far beyond what FEMA can effectively marshal standing alone. The Act's goal is to better enable FEMA to coordinate effectively the substantial response resources in other components within the Department, such as the Coast Guard, as well as to enable FEMA to be more effective in coordinating the response assets of the rest of the Federal government....the Act gave FEMA and its Administrator elevated and expanded roles in leading the nation's efforts to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate against the risk of natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters. It made the FEMA Administrator an Executive Level II official (equivalent to the level of Deputy Secretary) and the principal advisor to the President, the Homeland Security Council, and the Secretary of Homeland Security on emergency management. It also gave the President the authority to make the FEMA Administrator a cabinet member during disasters. These changes are designed to ensure that FEMA has the political authority and clout to direct and coordinate the appropriate personnel and resources within DHS (which are substantial) and to coordinate across the Federal government when needed". (Lieberman, "Letter to DHS Secretary Chertoff," Oct. 22, 2007)