[JURIST] Faced with a daunting task of recovery after Hurricane Katrina [JURIST news archive], groups from the Gulf region have sought money from Congress, but they have also sought relief from myriad federal laws that could potentially hinder efforts to rebuild the region. Members of Congress have begun efforts to draw up a plan for recovery, but legal restrictions such as welfare laws and limits on volunteers helping in the area oftentimes stand in the way. Regulations created by federal agencies don't require congressional action to be modified, as the Department of Transportation and National Cancer Institute [Katrina relief effort summaries] have already acted to alter their regulations. Congress faces a longer process, however, and numerous groups are lobbying their ideas for relief. Federal lawmakers have already taken action on several issues, providing emergency funding [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette report] and allowing federal courts to relocate [JURIST report] in the region, but other issues like Medicaid could grow contentious as time passes. Reuters has more.