[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 26 (Thursday, February 5, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S505]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                               TRACK Act

  Mrs. MOODY. Mr. President, I rise today to speak about an issue that 
is critically important to millions of Americans: how our Federal 
Government responds when disaster strikes and whether communities can 
quickly receive the help they are promised in a timely and transparent 
manner.
  As someone from the great State of Florida who is no stranger to 
natural disasters, we know how vital emergency recovery assistance is 
after disasters like hurricanes.
  Unfortunately, we discovered that recovery assistance--public 
assistance--can be delayed for years. That is very hard for communities 
that rely on that essential funding to recover.
  As a U.S. Senator, it is important to me to fight on behalf of 
Floridians to help aid in these recovery efforts and make sure that, if 
communities are entitled to public moneys to help them, those are 
efficiently received, because recovery doesn't end the day after a 
storm.
  After major hurricane strikes, like we have seen in back-to-back 
years in the State of Florida, it can take years to get communities 
back to normal, and the process can be onerous and confusing for 
leaders and communities.
  So to streamline it and make it more clear, I introduced legislation 
called the TRACK Act. I introduced this along with Senator Alsobrooks. 
The Transparency in Recovery Assistance and Claims Knowledge Act would 
implement a status tracker on the FEMA website. This is so victims of 
disaster can have easily available knowledge of insight as those claims 
progress.
  As I travel around the State of Florida, I continue to hear from 
folks that not just want more transparency but need that as they 
advocate on behalf of their communities--just a little more insight 
into the aid process when they are recovering from these catastrophes.
  While FEMA is making incredible strides under President Trump's 
leadership, the TRACK Act will bring more sunshine, more transparency.
  After disaster strikes, the most important thing is to get help to 
those who need it as soon as possible, and this bill helps us to do 
just that.
  While transparency and accountability are essential, they must also 
be paired with real action and real results. And so I am so proud to 
announce and inform my fellow Floridians that following very productive 
meetings with DHS, I was able to secure nearly half a billion dollars 
in FEMA public assistance funding, which was released, totaling in 535 
projects across 14 disasters. And these had been requested for years.
  This is thanks to the advocacy and coordination from folks all across 
my State--from Bay County to Broward County; city managers, mayors, 
constituents. Truly, it was all of us working together to bring this to 
the attention of those here in Washington to not delay these funds.
  We are just getting started.
  I want to thank President Trump and his administration for his 
leadership and for standing with Floridians as we recover from these 
natural disasters. Indeed, I believe Floridians and their participation 
in coming to Washington and meeting with their representatives, making 
sure that they are heard by their government--the people's government--
that is why we have seen progress.
  If there is one thing I can say--and I continue to be inspired as 
Florida's newest U.S. Senator--government will only work if people 
remain engaged with their government. If we the people remain engaged 
with the representatives that serve us, we the people are an essential 
part of our Republic working.
  So I am proud to make this announcement about these moneys being 
released to help Florida recover and to further strengthen our State. 
But, indeed, it is just an announcement, because while I was the voice 
of so many, it was their work, their advocacy, them being a part of 
their government that got this done.
  Since becoming a Senator, I have been inspired by so many across my 
State that want to help in the administration of the people's 
government. They have shared their struggles in getting Federal aid. 
They have shared their needs as a result of natural disasters, 
hurricanes, flooding. And all of that went into making this a reality. 
And I am so proud to have worked to secure these long-awaited funds for 
my State.
  This urgency is why I am also urging my colleagues to join me in 
supporting the TRACK Act. It will improve transparency between 
Washington and communities back home. Indeed, it will allow Americans 
to be more a part of their government.
  I yield the floor.