[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 16 (Wednesday, January 25, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H295-H297]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           POST-DISASTER ASSISTANCE ONLINE ACCOUNTABILITY ACT

  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 259) to provide for an online repository for 
certain reporting requirements for recipients of Federal disaster 
assistance, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 259

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Post-Disaster Assistance 
     Online Accountability Act''.

     SEC. 2. SUBPAGE FOR TRANSPARENCY OF DISASTER ASSISTANCE.

       (a) Establishment of Repository for Reporting 
     Requirements.--The Director of the Office of Management and 
     Budget, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury 
     and the head of each covered Federal agency, shall establish 
     a subpage within the website established under section 2 of 
     the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 
     2006 (31 U.S.C. 6101 note) to publish the information 
     required to be made available to the public under this 
     section.
       (b) Submission of Information by Federal Agencies.--Not 
     later than 30 days after the end of a calendar quarter, each 
     covered Federal agency that made disaster assistance 
     available to an eligible recipient during such quarter shall, 
     in coordination with the Director of the Office of Management 
     and Budget, make available to the public on the subpage 
     established under subsection (a) the information described in 
     subsection (c), and ensure that any data asset of the agency 
     is machine readable.
       (c) Information Required.--The information described in 
     this subsection is, with respect to disaster assistance 
     provided by the covered Federal agency--
       (1) the total amount of disaster assistance provided by the 
     agency during such quarter;
       (2) the amount of disaster assistance provided by the 
     agency that was expended or obligated to projects or 
     activities; and
       (3) a detailed list of all projects or activities for which 
     disaster assistance dispersed by the agency was expended, 
     obligated, or used, including--
       (A) the name of the project or activity;
       (B) a description of the project or activity;
       (C) an evaluation of the completion status of the project 
     or activity;
       (D) any award identification number assigned to the 
     project;
       (E) the Catalog for Disaster Assistance number assigned by 
     the Federal Emergency Management Agency;
       (F) the location of the project, including ZIP Codes; and
       (G) any reporting requirement information being collected 
     by a covered Federal agency with respect to that agency's 
     disaster assistance.
       (d) Guidance.--Each covered Federal agency, in coordination 
     with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and 
     the Secretary of the Treasury, shall issue such guidance as 
     is necessary to meet the requirements of this Act.
       (e) Agreement With Private Entity.--The Director, if 
     necessary for purposes of transparency, may enter into an 
     agreement with a private entity, including a nonprofit 
     organization, to develop the subpage required under this 
     section.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act, the following definitions apply:
       (1) Covered federal agency.--The term ``covered Federal 
     agency'' means--
       (A) any agency providing assistance under the Robert T. 
     Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
     U.S.C. 5121 et seq.);
       (B) the Small Business Administration; and
       (C) the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
       (2) Disaster assistance.--The term ``disaster assistance'' 
     means any funds that are made available by the Federal 
     Government in response to a specified natural disaster, 
     including--
       (A) any assistance provided by the Administrator of the 
     Small Business Administration as a result of a disaster 
     declared under section 7(b) of the Small Business Act (15 
     U.S.C. 636(b));
       (B) any assistance provided by the Secretary of Housing and 
     Urban Development for--
       (i) activities authorized under title I of the Housing and 
     Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.) 
     related to disaster relief, long-term recovery, restoration 
     of infrastructure and housing, and economic revitalization in 
     the most impacted and distressed areas resulting from a major 
     disaster declared pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
     Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.); 
     and
       (ii) flood insurance coverage provided under the National 
     Flood Insurance Program pursuant to the National Flood 
     Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.); and
       (C) any assistance provided under the Robert T. Stafford 
     Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 
     et seq.).
       (3) Eligible recipient.--The term ``eligible recipient''--
       (A) means any entity that receives disaster assistance 
     directly from the Federal Government (including disaster 
     assistance received through grant, loan, or contract) other 
     than an individual; and
       (B) includes a State that receives disaster assistance.
       (4) Specified natural disaster.--The term ``specified 
     natural disaster'' means--
       (A) a fire on public or private forest land or grassland 
     described in section 420 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster 
     Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5187);
       (B) a major disaster declared by the President under 
     section 401 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 5170);
       (C) an emergency declared by the President under section 
     501 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 5191); and
       (D) any other natural disaster for which a disaster 
     declaration is made by the Federal Government.


[[Page H296]]


  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Graves) and the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Larsen) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri.


                             General Leave

  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks and insert extraneous material into the Record on H.R. 259.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Missouri?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 259, the Post-Disaster Assistance Online 
Accountability Act, introduced by our Republican colleague from Puerto 
Rico (Mrs. Gonzalez-Colon), will increase transparency for post-
disaster Federal assistance.
  H.R. 259 requires agencies that provide Federal disaster assistance 
to update a central website quarterly with information on their 
disaster assistance programs. This increased transparency is going to 
allow the American taxpayers to see where their hard-earned dollars are 
going and which areas are receiving the most Federal assistance for 
post-disaster recovery.
  The Post-Disaster Assistance Online Accountability Act passed the 
House last Congress overwhelmingly by a vote of 412 yeas to 2 nays. I 
hope we can repeat this very strong showing this Congress.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.

                                         House of Representatives,


                                  Committee on Small Business,

                                 Washington, DC, January 19, 2023.
     Hon. Sam Graves,
     Chairman, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 
         House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Graves: I write concerning H.R. 259, the Post 
     Disaster-Assistance Online Accountability Act. The bill was 
     referred primarily to the Committee on Transportation and 
     Infrastructure, with additional referrals to the Committee on 
     Financial Services and the Committee on Small Business. 
     Specifically, provisions of H.R. 259 fall within the Rule X 
     jurisdiction of the Committee on Small Business.
       I recognize and appreciate your desire to bring this 
     legislation before the House of Representatives in an 
     expeditious manner, and accordingly, the Committee on Small 
     Business will forgo action on the bill. However, this is 
     conditional on our mutual understanding that doing so will 
     not prejudice the Committee on Small Business with respect to 
     the appointment of conferees or to any future jurisdictional 
     claim over the subject matter contained in the bill or 
     similar legislation that falls within the Committee on Small 
     Business's Rule X jurisdiction. Further, should a conference 
     on the bill be necessary, I appreciate your agreement to 
     support my request to have the Committee represented on the 
     conference committee.
       Finally, I would ask that a copy of this letter and your 
     response acknowledging our jurisdictional interest in the 
     bill be included in the Congressional Record during 
     consideration of H.R. 259 on the House floor.
           Sincerely,

                                               Roger Williams,

                                                         Chairman,
     House Committee on Small Business.
                                  ____

         Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                 Washington, DC, January 19, 2023.
       Hon. Roger Williams Chairman,
     Chairman, Committee on Small Business,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Williams: Thank you for your letter regarding 
     H.R. 259, the Post Disaster Assistance Online Accountability 
     Act. I appreciate your willingness to work cooperatively to 
     ensure that H.R. 259 is considered expeditiously before the 
     House of Representatives.
       In response to your letter, I recognize that this bill 
     contains provisions that fall within the jurisdiction of the 
     Committee on Small Business. I also acknowledge that your 
     Committee's decision to forgo consideration would not 
     prejudice your Committee regarding the appointment of 
     conferees, to any future jurisdictional claim over the 
     subject matters contained in the bill, or to similar 
     legislation falling under your Committee's Rule X 
     jurisdiction. In addition, should a conference on this bill 
     become necessary, I would support your request to have 
     members of the Committee on Small Business represented on the 
     conference committee.
       I will ensure that our exchange of letters is included in 
     the Congressional Record during consideration on the House 
     floor. Thank you again, I appreciate your cooperation 
     regarding this legislation and look forward to continuing to 
     work with you as this measure moves through the legislative 
     process.
           Sincerely,
                                                       Sam Graves,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                  Committee on Financial Services,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                 Washington, DC, January 20, 2023.
     Hon. Sam Graves,
     Chairman, Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure, House 
         of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Graves: I am writing concerning H.R. 259, the 
     ``Post-Disaster Assistance Online Accountability Act.'' Per 
     your request, I agree that the Committee on Financial 
     Services shall be discharged from further consideration of 
     the bill so that it may proceed expeditiously to the House 
     Floor. The Committee takes this action with the mutual 
     understanding that, by foregoing consideration of H.R. 259 at 
     this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over the subject 
     matter contained in this or similar legislation, and that the 
     Committee will be appropriately consulted and involved on 
     this or similar legislation as it moves forward. The 
     Committee also reserves the right to see appointment of an 
     appropriate number of conferees to any conference with the 
     Senate involving this or similar legislation, and we request 
     your support for any such request.
       Finally, as you mentioned in your letter, I ask that a copy 
     of our exchange of letters on this bill be included in your 
     committee's report to accompany the legislation, as well as 
     in the Congressional Record during floor consideration 
     thereof.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Patrick McHenry,
     Chairman, Committee on Financial Services.
                                  ____

         Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of 
           Representatives,
                                 Washington, DC, January 17, 2023.
     Hon. Patrick McHenry,
     Chairman, Committee on Financial Services,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman McHenry: I am writing to you concerning H.R. 
     259, the ``Post-Disaster Assistance Online Accountability 
     Act.'' The bill was referred primarily to the Committee on 
     Transportation and Infrastructure, with additional referrals 
     to the Committee on Financial Services and the Committee on 
     Small Business.
       I ask that you allow the Committee on Financial Services to 
     be discharged from further consideration of the bill so that 
     it may be scheduled by the Majority Leader. This discharge in 
     no way affects your jurisdiction over the subject matter of 
     the bill, and it will not serve as precedent for futural 
     referrals. In addition, should a conference on the bill be 
     necessary, I would support your request to have the Committee 
     on Financial Services represented on the conference 
     committee. Finally, I would be pleased to include this letter 
     and any response in the Congressional Record during floor 
     consideration, to memorialize our understanding.
       Thank you for your consideration of my request.
           Sincerely,
                                                       Sam Graves,
                                                         Chairman.

  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 259. This bill, introduced by 
Resident Commissioner Gonzalez-Colon and Delegate Plaskett would create 
a new online system for tracking Federal disaster projects and 
assistance.
  People should know how and where their disaster funds are being spent 
without wading through reams of governmental paperwork. This 
legislation simplifies the data collection process for Federal disaster 
recovery projects.
  To increase transparency, the bill also creates a page on 
USASpending.gov where everyone can track agency disaster recovery 
activities and the amount of assistance expended by an agency on a 
quarterly basis.
  Federal agencies need to be accountable to the victims of disasters 
and allow them peace of mind when they are at their most vulnerable.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides to join with me and 
support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may 
consume to the gentlewoman from Puerto Rico (Mrs. Gonzalez-Colon).
  Mrs. GONZALEZ-COLON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 259, the 
Post-Disaster Assistance Online Accountability Act.
  Again, I thank Chairman Graves for moving forward with this 
bipartisan initiative, for making it possible so early in this 
Congress, and for it to be considered today.
  I also thank my sister from the Virgin Islands, Stacey Plaskett, as 
well as Representatives Malliotakis and Cleaver for their support and 
as cosponsors on this legislation.

[[Page H297]]

  H.R. 259 would provide an innovative and comprehensive approach to 
tracking Federal disaster projects and assistance, as well as the 
funds.
  It establishes a single online repository to report information about 
Federal disaster assistance to provide transparency to the American 
taxpayer.
  This proposal, developed in collaboration with the Project of 
Government Oversight, would establish a subpage for transparency of 
disaster assistance on the USASpending.gov website to better inform the 
public about the status of the use of disaster funding. And believe me, 
Mr. Speaker, every time I go back to the district every weekend this is 
the first question I receive from my constituents: What happened with 
the funds to the bridge?
  What happened with the funds to the school?
  What happened to the funds to the roads that are still damaged 5 
years after a hurricane?
  Many people ask themselves these questions: Where is the Federal 
funding that has been approved by Congress?
  Where is the money that has been allocated to the Federal agencies?
  Does a contractor have it?
  Did the local government spend the money well?
  Those are general questions that everybody, at least in Puerto Rico, 
are asking.
  So this bill would require agencies that offered disaster assistance, 
including the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Small 
Business Administration, the Department of Agriculture, and many 
others, to regularly submit updated information to the Office of 
Management and Budget to ensure that the best possible data is 
available in an easily accessible format.
  The data to be published would include: the amount of disaster 
assistance provided by the agencies; the amount of disaster assistance 
that has been obligated or expended to projects or activities; and a 
detailed list of all projects or activities for which disaster 
assistance dispersed by the agency was expended, obligated, or used, 
including a description of the project or activity, as well as an 
evaluation of the completion status of that project.
  I think this will help not just the general public, not just American 
taxpayers, but also the government agencies to know where the funding 
is and when those projects are going to be completed.
  During the last few years, my district, like many others represented 
here in the House, has faced multiple hardships due to disasters. In 
Puerto Rico, we are still working through the aftermath of Hurricanes 
Irma and Maria, the earthquakes of 2020, and last year's Hurricane 
Fiona. Much of the support has been approved for rebuilding--this 
Congress passed legislation allocating billions of Federal funding not 
just to Puerto Rico, but to Texas, to California, and to many other 
States--and, of course, we need better accountability and oversight to 
ensure this funding is being used as intended by Congress.
  H.R. 259 will foster accessibility and transparency of information to 
track Federal funding and its status. It will also enable local mayors 
and legislators, nongovernmental organizations, and individual 
constituents to know what funding has been used for, where the funding 
will go, and how much funding is left to be spent, among other 
information.

  In Puerto Rico we have put money here for hospitals, for piers, and 
for bridges, and people don't even know where the money is because the 
projects have not even begun yet. This kind of information will not 
only help Federal and local agencies but mostly the American taxpayers.
  This will allow better awareness of progress and utilization of 
resources and to ensure that streams of available funding are not 
overlooked or underutilized.
  The transparency provided with this bill will be essential for better 
congressional oversight of disaster recovery in all the States and 
communities where it has been received so agencies can account for how 
effectively it is being used, and if it is getting to the hands of the 
individuals and communities that need it and that it was intended to go 
to.
  Mr. Speaker, passing this legislation will assist efforts to improve 
Federal disaster response and make it more accountable and effective. I 
urge my colleagues to vote for passage of H.R. 259, the Post-Disaster 
Assistance Online Accountability Act.
  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time, and I am prepared to close.
  Mr. Speaker, the House passed this bipartisan bill on suspension as 
well in the past two Congresses. I look forward to passing this 
commonsense transparency measure again today.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support it, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, in closing, this commonsense 
accountability measure is going to enable taxpayers to get a greater 
sense of where their money is going and allow agencies to see where 
they can coordinate post-disaster recovery efforts.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Graves) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 259.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________