HOUSTON -- U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee wants to hold electric companies criminally responsible for what she calls "future post-natural disaster failures."

AP

Electrical poles and lines are seen down, blown over by winds from Hurricane Ike, in Beaumont, Texas.

She wants electric companies to prioritize repairs so that the elderly, the disabled and the sick get what they need before time runs out.

Shirley Finnegan, a Hurricane Ike survivor, can relate.

The Highlands resident is going on day 18 without power.

That’s a dangerous accomplishment since she suffers from pulmonary hypertension and is on oxygen.

Finnegan is relying on a generator to keep her oxygen machine going and estimates that she’s spent more than $600 on gas.

“I have no stamina left but I do have life left and I would like to keep what I can,” she said.

“I believe we can do better in this country,” said Jackson Lee.

“We need to be able to recover quickly,” she added.

On Tuesday, Jackson Lee introduced legislation that would force utility companies to pay a fine or do time if they don’t prepare for a natural disaster.

“I think legislation like this clearly says that it’s worth the pre-investment. (It shows) that you have tried to prevent the long extended absences of electricity and power,” said Jackson Lee.

11 News legal expert Gerald Treece doesn’t believe the bill will get off the ground.

“It’s not a federal question, it’s a state and local issue,” said Treece.

“I don’t think it will get out of the hopper. I don’t think it will even get addressed. The question then is where is the jurisdiction of the federal government to tell state and local government what they can and can’t do,” he said.

Finnegan said she wouldn’t mind a little pressure put on the utility companies.

A CenterPoint spokesperson told 11 News that they are working to get power to all of their customers by the end of the week.

That same individual said the company was prepared for the storm.