Bill Ensures Fair Access to Federal Aid for Rural Communities Impacted by Flooding and Other
Washington – U.S. Rep. John Katko (NY-24) released the following statement on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee advancing the bipartisan Small State and Rural Rescue Act to the House Floor:
“After receiving broad bipartisan support from my colleagues on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I am proud to announce the bipartisan Small State and Rural Rescue Act has been sent to the House Floor. In recent years, rural communities in Central New York have been hit by severe and costly flooding. In the aftermath of these disasters, local officials in rural communities and small states often struggle to secure federal aid due to onerous obstacles in the disaster declaration process. My bill addresses this challenge by improving the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) coordination efforts with local officials in assessing disaster impact and helping to ensure rural communities have fair access to federal disaster aid. As Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, which has jurisdiction over FEMA, I remain committed to improving federal relief efforts.”
Background: Small states and rural communities often struggle to access federal disaster aid through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). They face obstacles in demonstrating the severe localized impact of disasters and are underserved by existing relief programs. The Small State and Rural Rescue Act would expand and codify the responsibilities of FEMA’s Small State and Rural Advocate when helping state and local officials access federal disaster aid. The bill would also direct the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a review on how FEMA mobilizes individual assistance in the aftermath of a disaster. Rep. Katko introduced this bill alongside U.S. Reps Dina Titus (D,NV-01), Carlos Gimenez (R,FL-26), Chris Pappas (D,NH-01), Michael Guest (R,MS-03), and Antonio Delgado (D,NY-19).
