[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.

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