President Bush on April 25 asked Congress for $2.2 billion more to bolster New Orleans-area levees. The new aid would augment $1.46 billion Bush requested Feb. 16, which Congress is debating. If lawmakers approve the new request, the Corps of Engineers’ total for New Orleans levee and related work would be nearly $6 billion.

The $2.2 billion includes $1.6 billion to replace I-walls with T-walls in Lake Pontchartrain and West Bank-area projects and $495 million to raise and strengthen levees in those areas. The White House wants localities to pay $267 million for the levee strengthening.

To offset levee aid, the administration would cut $2.2 billion from the $9.4 billion Bush asked for in February for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.