U.S. Reps. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Sam Graves (R-MO), Dina Titus (D-NV), and Daniel Webster (R-FL) introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen disaster mitigation and resilience programs administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The Resilient Assistance for Mitigation for Environmentally Resilient Infrastructure and Construction by Americans, or Resilient AMERICA Act, would return unspent Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds to the Disaster Relief Fund.
“It’s abundantly clear that climate change is making extreme weather more intense and severe. The federal government needs to be prepared and able to lend a helping hand to communities trying to bounce back,” said DeFazio, chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. “This bipartisan legislation will help make sure communities across Oregon, and throughout the country, have the resources and support they need to recover and be better prepared for the next time disaster strikes.”
The legislation would also double funding dedicated to FEMA’s Pre-disaster Mitigation Program, extend eligibility for Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) funds to include private non-profits, expand the reach of the post-disaster Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and fund residential resilience retrofit block grants to states, tribes, and territories to strengthen homes for maximum protection and safety.
“In North Missouri, we’ve witnessed major flooding displace families, ruin homes, and destroy acres of farmland. Natural disasters don’t just require a swift and targeted response, but also thoughtful preparation to ensure we save lives and stop devastation,” said Graves, the ranking member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “The Resilient AMERICA Act improves federal mitigation efforts that will help limit the severity of damage when disaster strikes.”