Predisaster Mitigation Program Reauthorization Act of 2005

Mr. Speaker, first I would like to commend my colleagues on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Chairman Young, Subcommittee Chairman Shuster and Subcommittee Democratic Ranking Member Norton, for all of their work on this important bill. H.R. 4324, Predisaster Mitigation Act Reauthorization Act of 2005, provides funding for a competitive grant program to assist States and local governments in implementing cost-effective hazard mitigation activities that complement a comprehensive mitigation program.

The Predisaster Mitigation Grant Program (PDM) will provide funds to states, and local governments and communities for hazard mitigation planning and the implementation of mitigation projects prior to a disaster event. Funding these plans and projects reduces overall risks to the population and structures, while also reducing reliance on funding from actual disaster declarations. This program funds activities like, the seismic strengthening of buildings and infrastructure, the construction of levees and the building of ``safe rooms'' in houses and other structures to protect against high winds. It is important to note that this program complements another Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act post mitigation program--the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMPG) which provides fund to reduce the risk of future damage, hardship, loss or suffering in any area affected by a major disaster.

Over the last twenty-five years, this country has had over one thousand presidential disaster declarations in the United States and the Insular Territories. These disasters have cost our nation billions of dollars and taken an untold number of lives. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Rita and Wilma, we have all become acutely aware of the devastation natural disaster can bring. We know that these natural disasters will continue to occur and bring damage and destruction but we also know that mitigation programs like the Predisaster Mitigation Program will help save lives and property.

According to the Multihazard Mitigation Council of the National Institute of Building Sciences which conducted an independent study on the costs benefits of mitigation for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)--mitigation saves lives and tax dollars. For every $1 spent from the United States Treasury for mitigation, we will save $3.65 for taxpayers when disaster strikes. Mitigation reduces property damage, reduces business interruption, reduces environmental damage and most importantly, it reduces societal losses, including causalities and homelessness. Moreover, the benefits of FEMA hazard mitigation grants significantly exceed their costs--by a 4 to 1 margin. In addition to providing broad-based benefits to society, FEMA hazard mitigation grants more than pay for themselves. Mr. Speaker, it is unmistakably clear, mitigation is essential to reducing the loss of lives and property in future natural disasters.

In October 2000, Congress passed the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA), which reauthorized the Stafford Act and created several new programs. One of those new programs was a Predisaster Mitigation Program that tasked FEMA with awarding grants to states on a competitive basis to implement predisaster mitigation plans. Again, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina as the Gulf Region begins the long and difficult process of rebuilding we can truly appreciate the importance of predisaster mitigation planning. Today, this bill extends the authorization of this program for another three years and directs the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to conduct a study on the program's effectiveness.

Mr. Speaker, I believe this is a good bill that will save both lives, property and taxpayer funds. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the bill.

The bill was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 4324, and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read the third time and passed, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to the measure be printed in the Record.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 4324) to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to reauthorize the predisaster mitigation program, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure be discharged from further consideration of the bill (H.R. 4324) to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to reauthorize the predisaster mitigation program, and for other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Objection.