Nola Reporter

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On June 30, 2023 , Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.), and Reps. Joe Neguse (D-Co.), Shelia Jackson Lee (D-Tx.), Jared Moskowitz (D-Fl.), Carlos A. Gimenez (R-Fl.), Nancy Mace (R-S.C.),  Juan Ciscomani (R-Az.), and Jenniffer González Colón (R-Pr.) announced the re-formation of the Bipartisan Congressional Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Caucus for the 118th Congress. The caucus will work across the aisle to advance legislation and policies that provide efficient, equitable relief for disaster survivors and promote measures that pave the path for impacted communities to make a full recovery. The caucus will also advocate for disaster preparedness measures and programs that help save lives, while readying America’s communities for the disasters ahead.

“Storms know no boundaries, and neither should our nation’s disaster preparedness or recovery systems,” said Rep. Carter. “As the climate crisis makes extreme weather events more frequent and intense, we need to work together to save lives and strengthen our systems. This bipartisan caucus is committed to advocating for effective preparedness and recovery measures and programs that best serve the American people and don’t leave anyone behind.”

The co-chairs of this caucus represent regions that experience a wide variety of natural disasters ranging from hurricanes to wildfires to flooding and have all directly navigated the disaster recovery process. They are coming together from across the political spectrum and across the country to advocate for better and improved disaster preparedness and recovery systems.

“From record-breaking wildfire seasons to flash flooding, Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West are no strangers to natural disasters. As these catastrophic events continue to increase in frequency, we must do all we can to prepare our communities and support them in their recovery. The Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Caucus will help to promote policies and programs that provide real relief for disaster survivors and support impacted communities to make a full recovery, and I am proud to be joining my colleagues to launch this effort,” said Rep. Neguse.

"The Congressional Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Caucus is vital to ensure the readiness and protection of constituents nationwide amidst the current volatility of weather conditions. With my home state of Texas being frequently impacted by flooding, tornados, and extreme heat, tackling disaster recovery is at the forefront of my agenda. We must protect individuals most impacted by disasters, especially those who cannot advocate for themselves–particularly vulnerable populations at the sunset and sunrise of life. As such, the protection of human life and dignity is such important work of this caucus, and I look forward to our collective efforts to uphold and secure the safety of all Americans during dangerous times of disaster,” said Rep. Jackson Lee.

“As the only former State Emergency Management Director to serve in Congress, I’ve worked on the frontlines when disaster hits. Whether it’s hurricanes or a deadly pandemic, I understand the importance of readiness and ensuring relief reaches communities in an efficient manner. I look forward to working with this caucus to ensure that Americans have confidence that their government will be able to help them in their greatest time of need,” said Rep. Moskowitz.

“The bipartisan Congressional Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Caucus is an invaluable tool to craft common-sense national policies that protect our communities most prone to natural disasters,” said Rep. Gimenez. “As a career firefighter paramedic and as a former Fire Chief, I understand firsthand just how important it is for our Miami and the Florida Keys families to have resources available to them in a timely and effective manner during hurricane season and look forward to working with my colleagues to provide bipartisan solutions.”

“In a coastal district like ours, natural disasters are an inevitable part of life. As coastal areas face increased risks from flooding and sea level rise, we must take preemptive steps to prepare and protect our most vulnerable communities,” said Rep. Mace. “This caucus will serve as an important bipartisan platform to ensure our nation is prepared for and able to recover from natural disasters whenever and wherever they strike.”

“Disaster preparedness and recovery should be an all-hands-on-deck effort in order to best protect our communities, crossing state and party lines when finding solutions. This bipartisan caucus will serve as an important platform to ensure our states have all resources available to prepare for and recover from disasters,” said Rep. Ciscomani.

“Communities across our country are impacted by a variety of natural disasters every year, putting citizens at risk, and impacting our health and economy. Puerto Rico is no exception having recently experienced disasters that include devastating hurricanes and earthquakes. As members of Congress, we must continue to engage with relevant stakeholders, including federal agencies, to develop legislation and leverage resources that will help those affected. As such, I am proud to serve as Co-Chair of this bipartisan caucus to ensure greater disaster preparedness and response,” said Rep. González-Colón.

Original source can be found here.