While it's impossible to measure the human suffering caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, it is possible to measure their effect on the nation's budget. Given our precarious fiscal situation -- large budget deficits and huge imbalances for long-term entitlement programs -- Congress cannot afford to blindly add billions to the already swollen deficit.  In the comming years (or better yet, months) there will have to be a bi-partisan effort to balance the budget for both the short and long terms. More immediately, Congress should act to make sure that the hurricanes aren't the fiscal straw that breaks the camel's back....

For the full text and accompanying graphic, please see the PDF attachment below.