[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 18 (Friday, January 27, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E67]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           POST-DISASTER ASSISTANCE ONLINE ACCOUNTABILITY ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 25, 2023

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 259 and I am 
pleased to explain why all members should vote in support of this 
bill--To provide for an online repository for certain reporting 
requirements for recipients of Federal disaster assistance.
  This bill would require the Office of Management and Budget to 
establish an online repository to publish information on the total 
amount of disaster assistance provided as a result of natural disasters 
each year.
  It is imperative that the American public is made aware of how much 
money is spent each year on federal disaster assistance; and especially 
by those caused by climate change.
  Climate change is here, and extreme weather has become the new 
normal.
  In February 2021 Winter Storm Uri swapped through Texas and across 
the nation.
  Over 154 million people, roughly half of the country, was in 
subfreezing temperatures. The storm crippled Texas with temperatures as 
low as 6 degrees.
  The debilitating temperatures overwhelmed the power grid, damaged 
Texas roadways, and left 2.8 million Texans without power.
  Winter Storm Uri was the costliest natural disaster in Texas history 
causing over $195 billion in damages.
  As a member of the Budget Committee, I understand the importance of 
providing clarity to the American public about how much money is being 
spent as a result of natural disasters.
  The devastation that occurred in Houston serves as a reminder that 
states must be ready for natural disasters, safety measures must be 
effectively planned to prevent casualties and damages, and careful 
reviewing of recipients needing assistance must be documented for 
reasons that include:
  Detailed accounting of parties that are requesting and have requested 
assistance.
  Transparent accounting of transactions and deposits from parties that 
are requesting and have requested assistance.
  Retrievable access of all information listed for future planning and 
budgeting for capital spending.
  In addition, H.R. 259 will serve as an integral building block 
towards achieving this objective for the benefit of information 
allocation from recipients who have received assistance and who have 
not, accurate predictions of resources plus capital transfers to the 
respected parties that are requesting assistance and for those that do 
not require assistance.
  H.R. 259 encapsulates and provides the necessary and critical 
application of planning that needs to be implemented.
  Keeping record of federal assistance should be dealt with importance 
as this keeps our budget in check and trackable. Further, it allows us 
to be responsible and cognizant of our spending.
  Quite frankly, it is a central part of our job as Members of Congress 
to advocate and push forth ways to protect our citizens, our states, 
and future advancements. To do so requires thoughtful planning and H.R. 
259 exemplifies these core principles.
  With the support of this bill, we can help reinforce and modernize 
our systems for more efficient, accountable, and transparent record 
keeping for how and to whom we provide with federal assistance.
  I urge all my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of H.R. 259, 
``To provide for an online repository for certain reporting 
requirements for recipients of Federal disaster assistance, and for 
other purposes.''