[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 178 (Thursday, November 17, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H8560-H8566]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
DISASTER SURVIVORS FAIRNESS ACT OF 2022
Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules
and pass the bill (H.R. 8416) to improve individual assistance provided
by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and for other purposes, as
amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 8416
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Disaster
Survivors Fairness Act of 2022''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act
is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Information sharing for Federal agencies.
Sec. 3. Universal application for individual assistance.
Sec. 4. Repair and rebuilding.
Sec. 5. Direct assistance.
Sec. 6. State-managed housing pilot authority.
Sec. 7. Management costs.
Sec. 8. Individual assistance post-disaster housing study.
Sec. 9. Funding for online guides for post-disaster assistance.
Sec. 10. Individual assistance dashboard.
Sec. 11. FEMA reports.
Sec. 12. Sheltering of emergency response personnel.
Sec. 13. GAO report on preliminary damage assessments.
Sec. 14. Applicability.
(c) Definitions.--Except as otherwise provided, the terms
used in this Act have the meanings given such terms in
section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122).
SEC. 2. INFORMATION SHARING FOR FEDERAL AGENCIES.
(a) Establishment of Electronic Information Sharing
System.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency shall establish and maintain a web-based
interagency electronic information sharing system, to be
known as ``DisasterAssistance.gov'', to--
(A) facilitate the administration of the universal
application for direct Federal disaster assistance
established under section 3;
(B) carry out the purposes of disaster assistance programs
swiftly, efficiently, equitably, and in accordance with
applicable laws, regulations, and the privacy and data
protections provided under this section; and
(C) support the detection, prevention, and investigation of
waste, fraud, abuse, inequitable allocation of resources, or
discrimination in the administration of disaster assistance
programs.
(2) Authorities of administrator.--In establishing and
maintaining the electronic information sharing system under
this subsection, the Administrator may collect and maintain
disaster assistance information received from a disaster
assistance agency, a block grant recipient, or an applicant
for a disaster assistance program and share such information
with any other disaster assistance agency or block grant
recipient using such electronic information sharing system.
(b) Data Security.--The Administrator may facilitate the
collection of disaster assistance information into the
electronic information sharing system established under this
section only after the following requirements have been met:
(1) The Administrator certifies that the electronic
information sharing system substantially complies with the
data security standards and best practices established
pursuant to subchapter II of chapter 35 of title 44, United
States Code, and any other applicable Federal information
security policy.
(2) The Secretary of Homeland Security publishes a privacy
impact assessment for the electronic information sharing
system, in accordance with section 222 of the Homeland
Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 142).
(3) The Administrator, after consulting with disaster
assistance agencies, publishes standard rules of behavior for
disaster assistance agencies, block grant recipients, and
personnel granted access to disaster assistance information
to protect such information from improper disclosure.
(c) Collection and Sharing of Additional Records and
Information.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator may authorize the
collection, maintenance, sharing, and use of additional
disaster assistance information by publishing a notice on
DisasterAssistance.gov that includes a detailed description
of--
(A) the specific amendments to the collection, maintenance,
and sharing of disaster assistance information authorized;
(B) why each such amendment to how disaster assistance
information is collected, maintained, or shared is necessary
to carry out the purposes of a disaster assistance program
and consistent with the fair information practice principles;
and
(C) the disaster assistance agencies and block grant
recipients that will be granted access to the additional
information to carry out the purposes of any disaster
assistance program.
(2) Notice and publication requirements.--The publication
of a notice under paragraph (1) of a revision to the
DisasterAssistance.gov system of records prior to any new
collection, or uses, of Privacy Act categories of records, to
carry out the purposes of a disaster assistance program with
regard to a disaster declared by the President under section
401 or 501 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170; 5191), shall be
deemed to satisfy the notice and publication requirements of
section 552a(e)(4) of title 5, United States Code, for the
entire period of performance for any assistance provided
under a disaster assistance program.
(3) Waiver of information collection requirements.--
(A) In general.--Upon the declaration of a major disaster
or emergency pursuant to sections 401 or 501 of the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 5170; 5191), the President may direct the
Administrator to waive the requirements of subchapter I of
chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code, with respect to
voluntary collection of information for the duration of such
major disaster or emergency.
(B) Transparency.--Upon exercising the waiver authority
under subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall--
(i) promptly post on a website of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency a brief justification for such waiver, the
anticipated period of time such waiver will be in effect, and
the disaster assistance offices within the Federal Emergency
Management Agency to which such waiver shall apply; and
(ii) update the information relating to such waiver, as
applicable.
(4) GAO review of waiver of information collection
requirements.--
(A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United
States shall issue a report describing the benefits and
potential risks associated with authorizing the waiver of the
information collection requirements described in paragraph
(3).
(B) Contents.--The report required under subparagraph (A)
shall include an assessment of the extent to which a waiver
described in paragraph (3) would--
(i) affect the paperwork burden for individuals, small
businesses, State, local and tribal governments, and other
persons;
(ii) affect the consistent application of Federal laws
relating to--
(I) privacy and confidentiality;
(II) security of information; and
(III) access to information; and
(iii) encourage or deter a State or other entity from
participating in the voluntary collection of information for
the duration of a major disaster or emergency.
(d) Use by Other Federal Agencies.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator may permit a Federal
agency other than a disaster assistance agency listed in
subparagraphs (A) through (D) of subsection (f)(3) to use the
electronic information sharing system established under this
section for the purpose of facilitating disaster-related
assistance if such agency enters into an agreement containing
the terms described in paragraph (2).
(2) Agency agreement.--An agreement entered into under
paragraph (1) shall contain the following terms:
(A) The Federal agency shall--
(i) collect, share, maintain, and use disaster assistance
information in compliance with this section and any policies
of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and any
information protection and use policies of such Federal
agency; and
[[Page H8561]]
(ii) train any personnel granted access to disaster
assistance information on the rules of behavior established
by the Administrator under subsection (b)(3).
(B) In the event of any unauthorized disclosure of disaster
assistance information, the Federal agency shall--
(i) notify the Administrator within 24 hours of discovering
any such unauthorized disclosure;
(ii) cooperate fully with the Administrator in the
investigation and remediation of any such disclosure;
(iii) cooperate fully in the prosecution of a person
responsible for such disclosure; and
(iv) assume the responsibility for any compensation, civil
liability, or other remediation measures, whether awarded by
a judgment of a court or agreed as a compromise of any
potential claims by or on behalf of an applicant, including
by obtaining credit monitoring and remediation services, for
an improper disclosure that is--
(I) caused, directly or indirectly, by the acts or
omissions of officers, employees, and contractors of the
agency; or
(II) from any electronic system of records that is created
or maintained by the agency pursuant to section 552a(e) of
title 5, United States Code.
(3) Publication of agency agreement.--The Administrator
shall publish an agency agreement entered into under this
subsection on the same website as the electronic information
sharing system established under this section.
(e) Rule of Construction.--The sharing and use of disaster
assistance information that is subject to the requirements of
section 552a of title 5, United States Code, by disaster
assistance agencies and block grant recipients shall not--
(1) be construed as a matching program for purposes of
section 552a(a)(8) of such title; or
(2) be subject to the remaining computer matching
provisions of section 552a of such title.
(f) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Applicant.--The term ``applicant'' means--
(A) a person who applies for disaster assistance from a
disaster assistance program; and
(B) a person on whose behalf a person described in
subparagraph (A) has applied for disaster assistance.
(2) Block grant recipient.--The term ``block grant
recipient'' means a State, local government, or Indian Tribe
that receives assistance through the disaster assistance
program described in paragraph (5)(B)(i).
(3) Disaster assistance agency.--The term ``disaster
assistance agency'' means--
(A) the Federal Emergency Management Agency;
(B) the Department of Housing and Urban Development;
(C) the Small Business Administration;
(D) the Department of Agriculture;
(E) any other Federal agency that the Administrator permits
to use the electronic information sharing system under
subsection (d).
(4) Disaster assistance information.--The term ``disaster
assistance information'' includes any personal, demographic,
biographical, geographical, financial information, or other
information that a disaster assistance agency or block grant
recipient is authorized to collect, maintain, share, or use
to process an application for disaster assistance or
otherwise carry out a disaster assistance program.
(5) Disaster assistance program.--The term ``disaster
assistance program'' means--
(A) any program that provides assistance to individuals and
households under title IV or title V of the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 5170 et seq.); and
(B) any other assistance program carried out by a disaster
assistance agency that provides assistance to an individual,
household, or organization related to a major disaster or
emergency declared under sections 401 or 501 of such Act,
including--
(i) assistance for activities related to disaster relief,
long-term recovery, restoration of infrastructure and
housing, economic revitalization, and mitigation that are
authorized under title I of the Housing and Community
Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.);
(ii) any loan that is authorized under section 7(b) of the
Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(b)); and
(iii) the distribution of food benefit allotments as
authorized under section 412 of the Robert T. Stafford
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5179)
and section 5(h) of the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C.
2014(h)).
SEC. 3. UNIVERSAL APPLICATION FOR INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE.
(a) Universal Application.--The Administrator of the
Federal Emergency Management Agency shall develop and
establish a universal application for direct Federal disaster
assistance for individuals in areas impacted by emergencies
or disasters.
(b) Consultation and Support.--
(1) Consultation.--In carrying out this section, the
Administrator shall consult with the following:
(A) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
(B) The Administrator of the Small Business Administration.
(C) The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
(D) The Secretary of Agriculture.
(2) Support.--The entities described in paragraph (1) shall
provide prompt support to the Administrator.
(c) Survey.--The application established under subsection
(a) shall include a voluntary survey to collect the
demographic data of an applicant.
(d) GAO Assessment on Identity Theft and Disaster Fraud in
Disaster Assistance Programs.--Not later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of
the United States shall--
(1) conduct an assessment of improper and potentially
fraudulent Federal disaster assistance for individuals made
to victims of major disasters declared in 2020 and 2021,
including through identity theft; and
(2) submit to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of
the Senate a report that describes--
(A) the prevalence of improper and potentially fraudulent
Federal disaster assistance for individuals made to
registrants who used invalid information to apply for
disaster assistance, including through identity theft;
(B) the number of disaster victims whose claims for Federal
disaster assistance for individuals were denied due to
another individual filing a fraudulent application using
their personal identifying information;
(C) the adequacy of existing fraud prevention protocols in
place on the Federal Emergency Management Agency's online
application for Federal disaster assistance for individuals;
and
(D) recommendations for improving the identity verification
protocols in place for Federal disaster assistance for
individuals.
SEC. 4. REPAIR AND REBUILDING.
(a) In General.--Section 408(b)(1) of the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 5174(b)(1)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``rendered uninhabitable'' and inserting
``damaged by a major disaster''; and
(2) by striking ``uninhabitable, as a result of damage
caused by a major disaster'' and inserting ``damaged by a
major disaster''.
(b) Hazard Mitigation.--Section 408 of the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 5174) is amended--
(1) in subsection (c) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) Hazard mitigation.--
``(A) In general.--The President may provide financial
assistance to individuals and households, whose primary
residence, utilities, or residential infrastructure are
damaged by a major disaster, for cost-effective hazard
mitigation measures that reduce threats to life and property,
or future damage to such residence, utilities, or
infrastructure in future disasters.
``(B) Relationship to other assistance.--A recipient of
assistance provided under this paragraph shall not be
required to show that the assistance can be met through other
means, except insurance proceeds.''; and
(2) in subsection (h)--
(A) in paragraph (1) by inserting ``, financial assistance
for hazard mitigation under subsection (c)(5)(A),'' after
``subsection (c)(1)(A)(i)''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) Hazard mitigation.--The maximum financial assistance
any individual or household may receive under subsection
(c)(5) shall be equivalent to the amount set forth in
paragraph (1) with respect to a single major disaster.''.
SEC. 5. DIRECT ASSISTANCE.
(a) In General.--Section 408(c) of the Robert T. Stafford
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C.
5174(c)) is further amended by striking paragraph (2) and
inserting the following:
``(2) Repairs.--
``(A) Financial assistance for repairs.--The President may
provide financial assistance for the repair of owner-occupied
private residences, utilities, and residential infrastructure
(such as a private access route) damaged by a major disaster,
or with respect to individuals with disabilities, rendered
inaccessible by a major disaster.
``(B) Direct assistance for repairs.--
``(i) In general.--The President may provide direct
assistance to individuals and households who are unable to
make use of financial assistance under subparagraph (A) and
when there is a lack of available resources, for--
``(I) the repair of owner-occupied private residences,
utilities, and residential infrastructure (such as a private
access route) damaged by a major disaster, or with respect to
individuals with disabilities, rendered inaccessible by a
disaster; and
``(II) eligible hazard mitigation measures that reduce the
likelihood and future damage to such residences, utilities,
and infrastructure.
``(ii) Eligibility.--A recipient of assistance under this
subparagraph shall not be eligible for assistance under
paragraph (1), unless otherwise determined by the
Administrator.
``(C) Relationship to other assistance.--A recipient of
assistance provided under this paragraph shall not be
required to show that the assistance can be met through other
means, except insurance proceeds.''.
(b) State- or Indian Tribal Government-administered
Assistance and Other Needs Assistance.--Section 408(f) of the
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance
Act (42 U.S.C. 5174(f)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``subsections (c)(1)(B), (c)(4), and (e)''
each place it appears and inserting
[[Page H8562]]
``paragraphs (1)(B), (2)(B), and (4) of subsection (c) and
subsection (e)''; and
(2) in paragraph (3)(A) by striking ``subsection (c)(1)(B),
(c)(4), or (e)'' and inserting ``paragraph (1)(B), (2)(B), or
(4) of subsection (c) or subsection (e)''.
SEC. 6. STATE-MANAGED HOUSING PILOT AUTHORITY.
Section 408 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5174) is amended--
(1) in subsection (f)(3)--
(A) by striking subparagraph (F);
(B) by redesignating subparagraphs (G), (H), (I), and (J)
as subparagraphs (F), (G), (H), and (I), respectively; and
(C) in subparagraph (I), as so redesignated--
(i) in clause (ii) by striking ``Not later than 2 years
after the date of enactment of this paragraph, the'' and
inserting ``The''; and
(ii) in clause (iii) by striking--
(I) ``2 years after the date of enactment of this paragraph
or'' and
(II) ``, whichever occurs sooner''; and
(2) in subsection (g)--
(A) in paragraph (1) by striking ``paragraph (2)'' and
inserting ``paragraphs (2) and (3)''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) Disaster assistance.--In the case of assistance
provided under subsections (c)(1)(B), (c)(2)(B), and (c)(4),
the Federal share shall be not less than 75 percent.''.
SEC. 7. MANAGEMENT COSTS.
(a) In General.--Section 324(b)(2) of the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 5165b(b)(2)(C)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(C) Individual assistance.--A grantee under section
408(f) may be reimbursed not more than 12 percent of the
total award amount under each such section.
``(D) Crisis counseling assistance, training, and case
management services.--A grantee and subgrantee, cumulatively,
may be reimbursed not more than 15 percent of the total
amount of the grant award under either section 416 or 426.''.
(b) Administrative Costs.--Section 408(f)(1) of the Robert
T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 5174) is amended--
(1) by striking ``(A) grant to state.--'' and all that
follows through ``subsection (g),'' and inserting ``Subject
to subsection (g),'' ; and
(2) by striking subparagraph (B).
SEC. 8. INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE POST-DISASTER HOUSING STUDY.
(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency shall--
(1) conduct a study and develop a plan under which the
Agency will address the challenges associated with providing
housing assistance to survivors of major disasters or
emergencies pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.),
including circumstances in which--
(A) the presence of multiple families within a single
household; and
(B) the near loss of a community, with the majority of
homes destroyed in such community, with discrete assessments
on flood, wildfire, and earthquake events; and
(2) make recommendations for legislative changes needed to
address the challenges described in paragraph (1).
(b) Consultation.--In conducting the study under subsection
(a), the Administrator shall consult with other relevant
Federal agencies and stakeholders.
(c) Report to Congress.--Upon completion of the activities
carried out under subsection (a), the Administrator shall
submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland
Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report
containing the study and recommendations required under
subsection (a).
SEC. 9. FUNDING FOR ONLINE GUIDES FOR POST-DISASTER
ASSISTANCE.
(a) Use of Services of Other Agencies.--Section 201(a) of
the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5131(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (7), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(8) post-disaster assistance.''.
(b) Funding for Online Guides for Assistance.--Section 201
of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5131) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``(e) Funding for Online Guides for Assistance.--
``(1) In general.--The Administrator of the Federal
Emergency Management Agency may enter into a cooperative
agreement to provide funding to a State agency established
under subsection (c) to establish and operate a website to
provide information relating to post-disaster recovery
funding and resources to a community or an individual
impacted by a major disaster or emergency.
``(2) Management.--A website created under this subsection
shall be--
``(A) managed by the State agency; and
``(B) suitable for the residents of the State of the State
agency.
``(3) Content.--The Administrator may enter into a
cooperative agreement to establish a website under this
subsection only to provide 1 or more of the following:
``(A) A list of Federal, State, and local sources of post-
disaster recovery funding or assistance that may be available
to a community after a major disaster or emergency.
``(B) A list of Federal, State, and local sources of post-
disaster recovery funding or assistance that may be available
to an individual impacted by a major disaster or emergency.
``(C) A technical guide that lists and explains the costs
and benefits of alternatives available to a community to
mitigate the impacts of a major disaster or emergency and
prepare for sequential hazards such as flooding after a
wildfire.
``(4) Cooperation.--A State agency that enters into a
cooperative agreement under this subsection shall cooperate
with the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of
Agriculture, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development,
the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, and
the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency
in developing a website under this subsection.
``(5) Updates.--A State agency that receives funding to
establish a website under this subsection shall update the
website not less than once every 6 months.''.
SEC. 10. INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE DASHBOARD.
Title IV of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170 et seq.) is amended
by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 431. INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE DASHBOARD.
``(a) In General.--Not later than 30 days after a
declaration by the President that a major disaster exists
under section 401, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency shall publish on a website of the Agency an
interactive web tool displaying the following information
with respect to such disaster:
``(1) The number of applications for assistance under
section 408, including a description of the number of
applications for assistance related to housing under such
section and the number of applications for assistance to
address other needs under section 408(e).
``(2) The number of applications for such assistance that
are approved.
``(3) The number of applications for such assistance that
are denied.
``(4) A ranked list of the reasons for the denial of such
applications, including the number of applications for each
reason for denial.
``(5) If available, the dollar amount of assistance
provided pursuant to section 408 to applicants who are--
``(A) property owners with a household annual income--
``(i) above the national median household income; and
``(ii) below the national median household income; and
``(B) renters with a household annual income--
``(i) above the national median household income; and
``(ii) below the national median household income.
``(6) The estimated percentage of residential property that
was destroyed as a result of the major disaster, if
available.
``(b) Personally Identifiable Information.--The
Administrator shall ensure that none of the information
published under subsection (a) contains the personally
identifiable information of an applicant.''.
SEC. 11. FEMA REPORTS.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management
Agency shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs of the
Senate a report with respect to fiscal year 2016 through the
most recent fiscal year ending before the date of enactment
of this Act, and an annual report for any fiscal year
beginning on or after the date of enactment of this Act,
describing--
(1) the average amount of individual assistance and
individual and household assistance provided under section
408 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) to, and the rate of
denial of individual assistance and individual and household
assistance provided under such section for--
(A) all individuals;
(B) households;
(C) individuals and households with an annual income under
75 percent of the national median household income;
(D) individuals with an annual income over 125 percent of
the national median household income; and
(E) individuals with an annual income between 75 percent
and 125 percent of the national median household income; and
(2) an explanation for any factors causing an increase in
the rate of denial of the assistance described in paragraph
(1), if applicable.
SEC. 12. SHELTERING OF EMERGENCY RESPONSE PERSONNEL.
Section 403 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170b) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(e) Sheltering of Emergency Response Personnel.--
``(1) In general.--For any major disaster for which the
President has authorized emergency protective measures for an
area within the jurisdiction of a State, tribal, or local
government, the Administrator may reimburse the State,
tribal, or local government for costs relating to sheltering
emergency response personnel, including individuals
[[Page H8563]]
that are a part of the same predisaster household as such
personnel, in exclusive-use congregate or non-congregate
settings if the Governor of the State or chief executive of
the tribal or local government determines that the damage or
disruption to such area is of such a magnitude as to disrupt
the provision of emergency protective measures within such
area.
``(2) Limitation of assistance.--
``(A) In general.--The Administrator may only reimburse a
State, tribal, or local government for the costs of
sheltering emergency response personnel under paragraph (1)
for such a period of time as the Administrator determines
reasonable based in the individual characteristics of and
impacts to the affected area, including the extent of damage,
the availability of alternative housing options, the
availability of utilities, and disruptions to transportation
infrastructure.
``(B) Maximum duration of reimbursement.--The period of
reimbursement under subparagraph (A) may not exceed the 6-
month period beginning on the date on which the incident
period ends.
``(3) Definition.--In this subsection, the term `emergency
response personnel' means--
``(A) employees or contracted employees providing law
enforcement, fire suppression, rescue, emergency medical,
emergency management, or emergency communications services;
and
``(B) elected officials, except members of Congress,
responsible for the overseeing or directing emergency
response operations or recovery activities.''.
SEC. 13. GAO REPORT ON PRELIMINARY DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS.
(a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United
States shall conduct a study on the practices, including the
accuracy of such practices, that the Federal Emergency
Management Agency uses when conducting preliminary damage
assessments for the purposes of providing assistance under
section 408 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act (42. U.S.C. 5174).
(b) Contents.--The Comptroller General shall include in the
study conducted under subsection (a) the following:
(1) A comparison of the process and procedures used by the
Federal Emergency Management Agency to complete preliminary
damage assessments to the process and procedures used by
private insurance companies following a major disaster.
(2) A review of training provided to individuals conducting
preliminary damage assessments.
(3) A comparison of damage estimates for homes owned by
individuals above the national median income to homes owned
by individuals at or below the national median income.
SEC. 14. APPLICABILITY.
The amendments made by sections 4, 5, 7, 9, and 12 shall
only apply to amounts appropriated on or after the date of
enactment of this Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Louisiana (Mr. Carter) and the gentleman from California (Mr. LaMalfa)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Louisiana.
General Leave
Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend
their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 8416, as amended.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Louisiana?
There was no objection.
Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8416. This legislation,
introduced by Subcommittee Chair Dina Titus, significantly improves
disaster assistance programs for individuals and families.
It is undeniable that climate change has transformed the nature and
severity of natural disasters in the United States. This has caused
real and devastating impacts for those who find themselves living in
the path of these disasters. Their lives will be upended by the loss of
savings, homes, loved ones, and peace of mind.
Survivors turn to their government, especially to the Federal
Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, for support after what may have
been the worst day of their lives. We know this by firsthand experience
in my home State of Louisiana. In Congress, we must do everything in
our power to ensure that Federal Government offers a hand of support
that is fair, capable, and compassionate.
This package includes several key provisions to improve disaster
assistance programs and survivor outcomes. First, this package will
create universal application for direct Federal assistance and enable
Federal agencies to share relevant disaster assistance information with
each other.
The bureaucracy of the current application and evaluation process can
leave survivors so overwhelmed that they give up hope on accessing the
aid they are, in fact, entitled to. I have heard this from my own
constituents. It is a travesty. It adds insult to injury. That is why I
support this substantial step forward to cut red tape, streamline
survivors' access to assistance, and reduce the time it takes for our
communities to recover.
Second, this legislation gives FEMA new authorities that
significantly expand the agency's ability to make disaster damaged
homes more resilient. It is common sense to encourage mitigation
activities in disaster-prone areas. Homes that were impacted once by a
disaster are likely to be impacted again, and those hard-hit households
may need extra help to rebuild stronger.
Third, several amendments were made to the Stafford Act which enables
FEMA to support innovative post-disaster housing solutions. Natural
disasters can exacerbate housing crises already existing in communities
much like those which I represent. This bill seeks to help.
For example, it authorizes the agency to provide direct repair
assistance to homeowners, which may reduce the amount of time survivors
spend in temporary shelters or housing before returning home. It also
authorizes FEMA to reimburse States that implement their own innovative
post-disaster housing solutions.
Lastly, this legislation includes a series of reports and studies
that may identify existing challenges in the administration of current
post-disaster housing programs and propose new solutions.
H.R. 8416 is designed to put survivors first and get them back on
their feet after disasters faster. Disasters recognize no boundaries,
and we must in turn strengthen and continually improve our disaster
preparedness, response, and recovery systems from sea to shining sea.
Madam Speaker, I am proud to support this effort, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
House of Representatives,
Committee on Small Business,
Washington, DC, September 23, 2022.
Hon. Peter A. DeFazio,
Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman DeFazio: I am writing with respect to H.R.
8416, the ``Disaster Survivors Fairness Act of 2022''. Thank
you for consulting with the Committee on Small Business
regarding the matters in H.R. 8416 that fall within the
Committee's jurisdiction.
As a result of your consultation with us on this measure
and in order to expeditiously move the bill to the floor, I
forego further consideration of H.R. 8416. The Committee on
Small Business takes this action with our mutual
understanding that we do not waive any jurisdiction over the
subject matter contained in this or similar legislation, and
the Committee will be appropriately consulted and involved as
the bill or similar legislation moves forward so that we may
address any remaining issues that fall within our
jurisdiction. Further, I request your support for the
appointment of an appropriate number of conferees from the
Committee on Small Business during any House-Senate
conference involving this or similar legislation.
Finally, I would appreciate your response to this letter
confirming our understanding regarding H.R. 8416 and would
ask that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be
included in the Committee Report and the Congressional Record
during floor consideration of the measure. Thank you for the
cooperative spirit in which you have worked regarding this
matter and others between our respective committees.
Sincerely,
Nydia M. Velazquez,
Chairwoman.
____
House of Representatives, Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure,
Washington DC, September 26, 2022.
Hon. Nydia M. Velazquez,
Chairwoman, Committee on Small Business,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairwoman Velazquez: Thank you for your letter
regarding H.R. 8416, the Disaster Survivors Fairness Act of
2022. I appreciate your decision to waive formal
consideration of the bill.
I agree that the Committee on Small Business has valid
jurisdictional claims to certain provisions in this important
legislation, and I further agree that by forgoing formal
consideration of the bill, the Committee on Small Business is
not waiving any jurisdiction over any relevant subject
matter. Additionally, if requested I will support the
appointment of conferees from the Committee
[[Page H8564]]
on Small Business should a House-Senate conference be
convened on this legislation. Finally, this exchange of
letters will be included in the committee report and the
Congressional Record when the bill is considered on the
floor.
Thank you again, and I look forward to continuing to work
collaboratively with the Committee on Small Business on this
important issue.
Sincerely,
Peter A. DeFazio,
Chair.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Financial Services,
Washington, DC, September 28, 2022.
Hon. Peter DeFazio,
Chairman, House Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman DeFazio: I am writing to acknowledge your
letter dated September 28, 2022, regarding the waiver by the
Committee on Financial Services of any Rule X jurisdiction
claims over the matters contained in H.R. 8416, the
``Disaster Survivors Fairness Act of 2022.'' The Committee on
Financial Services confirms our mutual understanding that our
Committee does not waive any jurisdiction over the subject
matter contained in this or similar legislation, and that our
Committee will be appropriately consulted and involved as
this bill or similar legislation moves forward so that we may
address any remaining issues within our jurisdiction.
The Committee on Financial Services further confirms our
interest in appointment of outside conferees from the
Committee should this bill or similar language be considered
in a conference with the Senate.
We request that you ensure that this exchange of letters is
included in the Congressional Record during Floor
consideration of the bill. We look forward to continuing to
work with you as this measure moves through the legislative
process.
Sincerely,
Maxine Waters,
Chairwoman.
____
House of Representatives, Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure,
Washington DC, September 28, 2022.
Hon. Maxine Waters,
Chairwoman, Committee on Financial Services,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairwoman Waters: Thank you for your letter regarding
H.R. 8416, the Disaster Survivors Fairness Act of 2022. I
appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively on this
legislation.
I acknowledge that by foregoing formal consideration on
H.R. 8416, the Committee on Financial Services does not waive
any future jurisdictional claims to provisions in this or
similar legislation, and that your Committee will be
consulted and involved on any matters in your Committee's
jurisdiction should this legislation move forward. In
addition, should a conference on the bill be necessary, I
would support your effort to seek appointment of an
appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate
conference involving provisions within this legislation on
which the Committee on Financial Services has a valid
jurisdictional claim.
I appreciate your cooperation regarding this legislation,
and I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in
the Congressional Record during floor consideration of H.R.
8416.
Sincerely,
Peter A. DeFazio,
Chair.
Mr. LaMALFA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, H.R. 8416, Disaster Survivors Fairness Act, makes a
series of changes to FEMA's Individuals and Households Programs.
Federal disaster assistance programs will be accessed through a new,
universal application that cuts through the bureaucracy and red tape
survivors face when seeking disaster assistance.
In my own district, we have had so much suffering from wildfire. The
Camp fire destroyed the town of Paradise and displaced so many, as well
as the Dixie fire last year. We just lost folks in a community called
Klamath River, as well as Beckwourth and Happy Camp. I could name many
others.
But, Madam Speaker, when a disaster hits you and when it hits a
family, they need solutions, and they need them soon because they are
going to live in a hotel or a motel. They are going to live with
friends. They are going to live on someone's couch. They are going to
have to leave the State. So when we can more immediately get them the
assistance they need, it is more humane. It certainly allays a lot of
suffering for folks who have already suffered too much already.
So with a streamlined application process we will update an existing
website to view that application through disasterAssistance.gov, an
interagency information-sharing system between FEMA and other Federal
agencies involved in disaster recovery. This will serve a dual purpose
of increased coordination and reduce waste, fraud and abuse.
The Disaster Survivors Fairness Act also opens up and clarifies
FEMA's authority related to home rebuilding and repairs allowing
commonsense solutions that prioritize the survivors' needs in returning
home and mitigating for future disasters, as my constituents are
dealing with in the town of Greenville in northern California. We would
like to expedite that process and not have red tape slow down their
ability to rebuild and come back home.
So, Madam Speaker, I urge support, and I reserve the balance of my
time.
Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may
consume to the distinguished gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Titus), who
is the author of this legislation.
Ms. TITUS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the Disaster
Survivors Fairness Act which I introduced to address housing needs for
victims in the aftermath of disasters.
In June, my subcommittee held an informal roundtable with
stakeholders to identify post-disaster housing needs when it comes to
emergency management and what the government can do to be helpful.
It is no surprise that climate change and the related severe weather
events are changing the emergency management landscape. Today's
disasters cause more damage, they have greater impacts on communities,
they are more expensive, and they require more time to recover.
This legislation will cut red tape by providing States more
flexibility to pursue the most appropriate post-disaster housing
solutions for them, for their locations, for their geography, and for
their demography.
It will deliver valuable resources to those in need by expanding
eligibility for hazard mitigation assistance. It will provide oversight
to ensure assistance is not being prioritized for wealthy homeowners
and that everyone will benefit from the program. It will save taxpayer
dollars by reducing the need for long-term sheltering that can cost
FEMA upwards of $300,000 per unit. We all remember the pictures of the
trailers after Katrina.
So, Madam Speaker, I believe that this is commonsense legislation, it
is broadly supported, and I ask my colleagues to vote for it. I thank
the chair for yielding me time.
Mr. LaMALFA. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from
Louisiana (Mr. Graves), who is the lead Republican sponsor of this
bill.
Mr. GRAVES of Louisiana. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from
California for yielding.
Madam Speaker, I want to first thank my friend from Nevada for
working with us on this legislation. This is important. I thank my
colleague from Louisiana (Mr. Carter) as well as Miss Gonzalez-Colon
from Puerto Rico. These are all folks, Madam Speaker, who have been
through the aftermath of disasters. Of course, the lead sponsor whom we
are working on this legislation with is the chair of the Economic
Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee.
Just to explain what happens here, in the aftermath of a disaster--
and as the gentleman from California noted, this can be a forest fire,
it could be a flood, it could be a hurricane, an earthquake, or other
types of disasters--you have an alphabet soup of agencies that come in
and offer assistance. It could be FEMA, it could be the Small Business
Administration, it could be the Department of Agriculture, it could be
the Department of Housing and Urban Development, or others.
Madam Speaker, the last thing in the world the victim of a disaster
needs is to be revictimized by their own government bureaucracy.
Whether your home was destroyed in a forest fire, it was blown away in
a hurricane, or it was destroyed in a flood, you need help. You don't
need bureaucracy. Yet, each agency has its own process.
This bill brings common sense to that. It relieves the stress of
being a disaster victim, and it provides a universal application. You
do it one time, the data is shared. You don't have to come in and fill
out the same information over and over and over again.
I wish somebody could do this at a doctor's office. Just make a note.
Madam Speaker, this bill goes beyond there though. It also ensures
that as taxpayers we are not coming in and
[[Page H8565]]
spending money over and over and over again on the same homes. It
changes the threshold for assistance to come in and offer hazard
mitigation assistance for these homes to make them more resilient and
to address vulnerabilities. It ensures that if someone floods or there
is a repetitive flood, we don't allow it to continue happening. We
bring solutions to the table.
I am embarrassed to admit this, but in the district that I represent,
there was a home that had flood insurance claims 42 times--42 times. As
ridiculous as it is as a taxpayer to see that happen--can you imagine
the homeowner having to go through this over and over and over again?
Thankfully, we have solved that problem in that case, but this bill
prevents further similar problems from occurring.
Lastly, Madam Speaker, I thank my friend from Louisiana for working
with us on section 12 of this legislation. This clarifies something
that we did in the Disaster Response Reform Act of 2018 that ensures if
you have a local entity like a sheriff's office or others that brings a
housing solution to the table that is at least 50 percent or less the
cost of what a similar solution would cost the Federal Government, they
can get reimbursed for that.
Said another way, Madam Speaker, this saves the Federal Government 50
percent of the money or more of housing solutions whenever a local
agency like a sheriff's office or others bring solutions to the table
for their own victims. As my friend from Nevada has said, in some cases
we have seen FEMA spending $250,000 per trailer--$250,000.
{time} 1315
We have seen local entities come in and bring solutions to the table
for $32,000, turning around and selling the trailers back, and
recouping everything but $7,000.
This is about taxpayers. It is about efficiency. It is about better
solutions, more resilient communities.
Madam Speaker, I urge adoption of this amendment.
Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my
time.
Mr. LaMALFA. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from
Louisiana (Mr. Higgins).
Mr. HIGGINS of Louisiana. Madam Speaker, when a natural disaster
strikes across the country, be it a hurricane, a wildfire, or an
earthquake, American families are displaced. It is very important that
we do our best to streamline whatever assistance has been deemed
appropriate in the wake of that disaster.
So when we see a bill that streamlines the disaster recovery process
for FEMA, that provides for a universal application for Federal
disaster assistance for individuals residing in the areas hit by a
natural disaster so that universal application can be used by multiple
agencies, it is all beneficial. When you see a bill that streamlines
the ability to provide direct assistance to individuals and households,
thereby eliminating some bureaucratic obstacles, and a bill that
provides more flexibility to States, I strongly encourage the support
of language like that in a legislative endeavor.
Whereas we may not agree with 100 percent of the language that is in
a bill, it is our duty to measure the overall benefit for the citizens
that we serve, and I rise in support.
Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my
time.
Mr. LaMALFA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, whether you have, as a victim, endured a wildfire,
flood, hurricane, earthquake, or any other calamity, and the different
forms of government are there to assist, in earnest, in good faith,
let's get them an easier process to do so.
One-stop shopping is much preferable to folks that have suffered
disaster and are displaced, their families spread out, and they are
struggling. Via this legislation, I appreciate my colleague from Nevada
pushing this forward and recognizing that.
We struggle in my own district with the Camp fire and the Dixie fire
and so much devastation there. Two entire towns disappeared with
Paradise and Greenville, and another small town, Canyondam. These folks
are displaced, and they are looking for answers.
With the programmatic changes that are available in H.R. 8416, it
will indeed streamline the application process, via disasters, through
the several Federal agencies to help them navigate what we are calling
today the alphabet soup of agencies to get a faster recovery. That is
what we all want.
Madam Speaker, I urge support for this bill, and I appreciate the
efforts my colleagues have been able to bring forward. I yield back the
balance of my time.
Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Madam Speaker, this legislation includes a series of reforms that
will streamline Federal assistance and benefit survivors like they have
never been benefited before. It is our duty to make disaster assistance
fair and accessible to each and every survivor.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this good, bipartisan
legislation, and I applaud my colleagues for joining us in working in
unison to do what is best for the American people. I completely support
this incredible legislation, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.
Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, as a senior member of the House
Committee on Homeland Security, I rise in support of H.R. 8416, the
``Disasters of Survivors Fairness Act of 2022.''
The Federal Emergency Management Agency's mission is to help
Americans prepare for, respond, and recover from disasters.
From day one, FEMA has been committed to protecting and serving
Americans who have been impacted by disasters.
Unfortunately, though, the toll of disasters is much greater on most
Americans than it is on those who are wealthier.
A 2020 FEMA National Advisory Committee report stated that disaster
relief programs ``provide an additional boost to wealthy homeowners and
others with less need, while lower-income individuals and others sink
further into poverty after disasters.''
It is unfair that any survivor of disasters must suffer because of
disparities in FEMA disaster response that have gone unchallenged for
far too long.
For example, FEMA records show that low-income homeowners were denied
30 percent of the time compared to higher-income owners, who were
denied 13 percent of the time, a 17-point difference.
Unfortunately, these disparities reveal the experience of African
American and Hispanic Americans.
Threats posed by natural disasters intensify existing social and
racial and ethnic inequities. After a natural disaster, people in
disadvantaged communities have worse outcomes due to stresses or
exposures to other risks associated with a disaster.
Low-income people and people of color are more likely to live in
disaster-prone areas, live in lower-quality housing that is less safe
when disasters occur, and have chronic illnesses that make them more
vulnerable.
As climate change accelerates and intensifies, the natural disasters
that it causes take a steeper toll each year.
Since climate change affects health in a variety of ways, disaster
mitigation and response planning must be scoped in advance to
ameliorate the consequences, hardships, and inequities.
To ensure that FEMA will lead equitable health interventions during
disaster response, we must enable it to provide evidence-based policy,
programming, and service delivery designed to protect health and
promote health equity during disaster response and recovery.
Our nation is ill-prepared to deal with successive extreme weather
events occurring nearly simultaneously, just as in 2017, when
Hurricanes Harvey, Jose and Maria hit within days of each other, while
wildfires burned in California.
One thing is certain after speaking with the people of Houston who,
unfortunately, are all too familiar with these problems: We require a
disaster recovery system that is designed to help the people who truly
need it.
H.R. 8416 would:
develop a universal application for federal disaster assistance;
remove the requirement that households must be rendered
uninhabitable;
authorize the president to provide direct assistance to individuals
and households;
remove the requirement that a household must be rendered
uninhabitable;
allow FEMA to enter agreements with state agencies to provide funding
for a website that will have information related to post disaster
recovery funding and resources; and save taxpayer dollars by ensuring
that FEMA resources are going to those who need the most help.
[[Page H8566]]
I have seen the dedication and hard work of FEMA professionals who
provide relief to victims of disasters. But the unending string of
disasters is stretching the fabric of emergency response systems across
the nation. The pain and financial hardship that they cost the American
people can be seen in headlines across the country.
We in Congress must do our part to enable FEMA to do more without
diminishing the support of communities before, during, and after
disasters.
No one was prepared for five days of subfreezing temperatures, ice-
and snow-covered roads, and a failed energy grid throughout the state
of Texas.
Texas power providers, Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT)
and Entergy Corporation, did not provide the needed weatherization of
power generating and delivery equipment after being warned in 2011
after a cold snap that the system would fail if these steps were not
taken.
The number of additional deaths uses mortality data from the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention to compare the number of deaths from
all causes that were reported in Texas during and after the storm with
the number of fatalities that are normally reported during ordinary
conditions.
That method is known as ``excess fatalities'' and has been employed
during other disasters, like the COVID-19 pandemic, to estimate related
death tolls.
In the aftermath of the storm millions of Texans struggled with the
effects of the deadly winter storm, people of color and low-income
communities who were disproportionately affected by blackouts and burst
pipes could now face the hardest journey to recovery, experts said.
Hurricane Harvey hit a thousand square mile of Texas, just as in the
past when Ike struck, but the telling sign of Blue Tarp Roofs are only
in low-income, black, and brown communities' years after the storms
have passed.
In the past the tools and resources available to FEMA to support
disaster reponse and recovery have been limited to meals, water, trap.
Local, tribal, territorial, and state governments had to make request
for aid to be provided.
For more substantial assistance, government contracting, and awards
must be put into place, which can take months and in some cases years
to get resources to victims.
This is too much time for survivors to have to wait for help.
The historic winter weather exacerbated pre-existing disparities like
poor infrastructure and lack of resources in marginalized communities.
Black and Latino communities who were disproportionately hit by COVID-
19 now must struggle to recover from one of the worst weather events to
ever hit Texas.
The nine-county Houston metro area impacted by Hurricane Harvey
covers 9,444 square miles, an area larger than five states. Including
New Hampshire, New Jersy, and Connecticut.
Hurricane Harvey dropped 21 trillion gallons of rainfall on Texas and
Louisiana, most of it on the Houston Metroplex.
At its peak on September 1, 2017, one-third of Houston was
underwater.
Hurricane Harvey is the largest housing disaster to strike the U.S.
in our nation's history.
Hurricane Harvey damaged 203,000 homes, of which 12,700 were
destroyed.
These are not simply numbers, these are families. Son and daughters,
mothers and fathers, friends, mentors, and caretakers, all who are
deserving of ample disaster response and recover efforts.
There was no way to pre-prepare for Hurricanes Harvey, Katrina, Ian,
or any of the other major disaster event.
What we can do is learn as much as possible and apply those lessons
to future disaster response and recovery efforts.
When there is a catastrophic event, like Hurricane Harvey, there are
important and valuable lessons that can help us to meet future
challenges.
My constituents in Houston understand that our capacity to deal with
hurricanes directly reflects our ability to respond to a terrorist
attack in Texas or New York, an earthquake in California, or a
nationwide pandemic.
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared that COVID-
19 was a pandemic, which had by that date reached at least 114
countries, sickening over 100,000 people, and killing more than 4,000.
It is the duty of Congress to make sure that FEMA is prepared to meet
any challenge while bringing equity to the response made during
disasters.
The work of the FEMA Office of Disaster Recovery and the Office of
Disaster Recovery are critical when disaster strikes and for this
reason, they should be a permanent part of the agency.
This is one of the reasons, I introduced the FEMA Modernization Act
(H.R. 3060) in the 116th Congress.
H.R. 3060:
makes permanent the FEMA Office of Disaster Response and the FEMA
Office of Disaster Recovery;
creates an ombudsman for each office to assist survivors and
victims';
establishes a new National Disaster Medical Triage Capacity and an
Incident Medical Recovery Management Team to set best practices for
Advanced Trauma Life Support capabilities, enable medical evaluations,
and assess health impacts that result from disasters;
creates an office of ombudsman to work within the agency to create
equity and access;
provides for accurate reporting on deaths and missing persons; and
reports data on effective casework management for the provision of
survivor benefits and services.
All survivors of disaster deserve a fair chance at obtaining disaster
recovery and relief. We owe it to those who were ripped from their
homes and left with nothing.
This bill provides the program support that is needed, since there is
nowhere in the United States immune from disaster.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Carter) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 8416, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. ROSENDALE. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
____________________