House Speaker Pelosi leading congressional delegation to Haiti to explore how to aid recovery

Pelosi leading congressional delegation to Haiti

WASHINGTON — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is leading a 12-member congressional delegation to Haiti Friday to assess ways to aid the recovery from a devastating earthquake.

Pelosi, D-Calif., said the five senators and seven representatives would examine reconstruction efforts and consider long-term assistance for Haiti.

Sen. George LeMieux of Florida is the sole Republican in the group. Other participants include Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, chairman of the Senate Health Committee; House Ways and Means Committee chairman Charles Rangel, D-N.Y.; House Transportation Committee chairman James Oberstar, D-Minn.; and House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, D-Mich.

Pelosi said they would meet with Haitian President Rene Preval and visit aid distribution sites, medical facilities and U.S. military personnel.

Congress has already taken several steps to help, including providing emergency aid to Americans evacuating the country and allowing taxpayers who donate to Haiti relief by the end of February to declare it on their 2009 tax returns.