[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 43 (Monday, March 11, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H1071-H1073]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
THINK DIFFERENTLY ABOUT EMERGENCIES ACT
Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 6249) to provide for a review and report on the assistance
and resources that the Administrator of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency provides to individuals with disabilities and the
families of such individuals that are impacted by major disasters, and
for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 6249
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 ``Think Differently About
Emergencies Act''.
SEC. 2. REPORT TO CONGRESS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 120 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
[[Page H1072]]
and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs of the Senate a report describing the assistance and
resources that the Administrator provides for individuals
with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the
families of such individuals who are impacted by major
disasters declared under section 401 of the Robert T.
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 5170) to the following:
(1) States.
(2) Localities.
(3) Nonprofit organizations.
(4) Directly to such individuals.
(b) Contents.--The report under subsection (a) shall
contain--
(1) a description of the resources and best practices that
the Administrator makes available to the entities listed in
paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (a) that are
impacted by major disasters declared under section 401 of the
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance
Act (42 U.S.C. 5170);
(2) detail the process the Administrator undertakes to
train personnel and deploy such personnel into areas to
coordinate with States, localities, and nonprofit
organizations to provide assistance and ensure that the needs
of individuals with intellectual and developmental
disabilities and the families of such individuals are met
following such a disaster;
(3) list the number of programs the Administrator
administers which support individuals with intellectual and
developmental disabilities to prepare for and recover from
such disasters, including by provide accommodation to such
individuals and the families of such individuals;
(4) description of outreach activities of the
Administration to State, local, and nonprofit experts on
addressing the needs of individuals with intellectual and
developmental disabilities and the families of such
individuals impacted by such disasters; and
(5) report that identifies, with respect to individuals
with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the
families of such individuals, areas for improvement in
supporting such individuals and families to prepare for and
recover from such disasters.
SEC. 3. REVIEW OF ASSISTANCE AND RESOURCES.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Comptroller General of the United States and the
Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency
shall each--
(1) conduct a review of assistance and resources the
Administrator provides to States, localities, nonprofit
organizations, and individuals to assist--
(A) individuals with intellectual and developmental
disabilities;
(B) individuals with physical disabilities; and
(C) the families of the individuals described in
subparagraphs (A) and (B);
(2) identify potential legal impediments to providing such
assistance and resources;
(3) provide to Congress recommendations on how the
Administration can--
(A) improve such assistance and resources;
(B) enhance coordination with States, localities, nonprofit
organizations in carrying out such assistance and providing
such resources; and
(C) streamline the application process and delivery of
assistance and resources to individuals described in
subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (1); and
(4) provide to Congress recommendations on any legislative
reform necessary to improve such assistance and resources.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Molinaro) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cohen) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
General Leave
Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Members have
5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to
include extraneous material in the Record on H.R. 6249.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my bill, H.R. 6249,
the Think Differently About Emergencies Act.
This bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency to submit
a report to Congress that outlines the assistance and resources
available to those with intellectual, physical, and developmental
disabilities and further directs the Government Accountability Office
to review available assistance to help identify gaps.
As March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, it is
appropriate that Congress moves this bill and works to ensure gaps in
responding to emergencies are addressed.
Disasters, as we know, are difficult for everyone, but they are
especially challenging for those individuals with disabilities and
those who care for them. It is important that we understand what
resources are available and how we can best help those who may have
limited ability to respond on their own.
Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this legislation, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6294, a bipartisan
bill to help people and individuals with disabilities before and after
disasters.
As was well stated by Mr. Molinaro, all Americans must have equal
access to disaster recovery resources, and people with disabilities
might need a little more.
Census data released in 2023 concluded that individuals with
disabilities are far more likely to face major hardships, including
displacement from their homes, after a disaster. Such outcomes are
unacceptable, and the Federal Government must work with urgency to
eliminate that disparity.
{time} 1615
This legislation will equip Congress with the knowledge required to
improve outcomes for individuals with disabilities. The bill requires
FEMA and the GAO to review and report on the assistance available to
individuals with disabilities before and after disasters.
This is much-needed information as approximately 13 percent of
Americans, Mr. Speaker, 42.5 million people live with a disability, and
the Americans with Disabilities Act requires the Federal Government to
provide these individuals with equal access to disaster-related
programs.
I am also pleased that this legislation places a particular emphasis
on individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities since
their needs have been overlooked in existing Federal disaster guidance
documents.
I support this bill. I urge my colleagues to do the same, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, with no further speakers I am prepared to
close, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, we must ensure that FEMA is complying with
the law and providing Americans with disabilities equal access to
Federal disaster assistance.
This legislation will do that.
I compliment Ms. Titus and Mr. Molinaro for bringing this bipartisan
legislation to us. I support it, and I urge my colleagues to do so.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would again like to highlight the
importance of ensuring the needs of individuals with developmental,
physical, and intellectual disabilities are considered during disasters
and how FEMA can work to assist those disaster victims.
I also want to thank the other co-sponsors of this legislation--this
bipartisan legislation--including the Subcommittee on Economic
Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Ranking Member
Titus for working with me on this issue.
I further extend my appreciation to my colleagues across the aisle in
the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for their support. I
would like to extend my thanks to Chairman Sam Graves for his support,
as well.
Mr. Speaker, I urge support of this important legislation, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. TITUS. Mr. Speaker, today's disasters are more frequent, cause
more damage, and have longer recovery times. Through my role as Ranking
Member of the T&I Subcommittee that oversees FEMA and as a co-founder
of the Disaster Equity and Building Resilience Caucus, we know that,
unfortunately, in the aftermath of these events, individuals with
disabilities find themselves at an increased risk of
institutionalization, injury, and death.
I am proud to have joined Rep. Molinaro in introducing the Think
Differently About Emergencies Act which will help identify needed
improvements to the emergency management landscape so we can ensure
that no one gets left behind in the wake of a major disaster.
I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Molinaro) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 6249.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
[[Page H1073]]
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________