WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Alcee Hastings (D-FL), Chairman of the Rules Committee’s Subcommittee on Legislative and Budget Process, announced a subcommittee hearing discussing ways to increase community resilience and the impacts that natural disasters have on the budget process on Tuesday, September 24th at 2:45PM (EDT) in H-313, the Capitol. As once-in-a-generation hurricanes, wildfires, and superstorms become routine occurrences nationwide, the federal government must take a more proactive approach in helping states prepare for extreme weather without waiting for the next natural disaster to hit.
“Florida knows all too well the impacts of extreme weather. A single hurricane, wildfire, or flood can cause billions of dollars in damage in the blink of an eye, devastating communities and straining budgets. My state is not alone – natural disasters that used to be once-in-a-generation events have now become the norm. The time to think about building more resilient communities is not in the aftermath of a devastating weather event, it’s before the next storm hits. We need to make sure the federal government has a funding process in place that actually helps communities prepare now without being forced to wait for the next disaster,” said Chairman Hastings.
While the disaster supplemental process allows communities to rebuild following natural disasters, it cannot take the place of federal government programs specially designed to help increase resiliency before storms hit. There are not enough avenues today for local communities to seek federal assistance to do the planning to be better prepared for the storms of tomorrow.
What: Subcommittee Hearing on Enhancing Community Resilience & the Impacts of Natural Disasters on the Budget Process
When: Tuesday, September 24th at 2:45PM (EDT)
Where: H-313, The Capitol
*Note that seating in the hearing room will be available as normal on a first come, first serve basis with preference given to members of Congress and members of the media. The hearing will also be streamed online at Rules.House.gov.
Majority Witnesses: Katherine Hamilton, Executive Director, Advanced Energy Management Alliance
Bill Johnson, Director of Emergency Management in Palm Beach County
John Piotti, President and CEO of American Farmland Trust
Heather McTeer Toney, National Field Director, Moms Clean Air Force and former mayor, Greenville, Mississippi
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