Congressional delegation to visit Haiti

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

Pelosi 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 B. Rangel (D-N.Y.); House Transportation Committee Chairman James L. Oberstar (D-Minn.) and House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers Jr. (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.

-- Associated Press