New York, NY —

Senator Hillary Clinton wants an independent commission to investigate the federal government's response to Hurricane Katrina. Clinton is introducing legislation that would also restore independence to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

REPORTER: In a conference call with reporters, Clinton said FEMA did a better job before it was swallowed up into the Department of Homeland Security.

CLINTON: Here we are nearly 4 years from 9/11 and we don't have a seamless well-running response machine, there's no doubt the federal government has to be in charge.

REPORTER: Without criticizing FEMA director Michael Brown directly, Clinton said the agency head should have experience in disaster preparedness and should not be a political appointee.

Meanwhile, New Jersey Senator John Corzine said he supports giving FEMA an independent structure as long as it's coordinated with Homeland Security so the agency can respond to both natural disasters and terrorism.