Think Differently About Emergencies Act

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.

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.

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. Speaker, with no further speakers I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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.

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.

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. 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. 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.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 441, H.R. 6249.

I further ask that the bill be considered read a third time and passed, and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate.