Press Releases

U.S. Representatives Garret Graves (Louisiana) and Stacey Plaskett (U.S. Virgin Islands) introduced bipartisan disaster relief legislation to expedite immediate disaster recovery funds to states in the aftermath of a major disaster.

Under the existing process, getting recovery funding to victims may take years. The bill changes the status quo and provides local and state governments with upfront federal grant funding to help get families back in their homes and communities after a disaster. The longer folks are displaced or are focused on obtaining the resources to recover their homes, the longer it takes to get the local workforce and economy back up and running. This results in the need for more federal government assistance.

By providing upfront support, the bill results in savings for taxpayers across the country.

Graves and Plaskett drafted the Expediting Disaster Recovery Act (EDRA) after experiencing delays, waste, and inefficiencies of the natural disaster recovery process. The pair found that disaster-impacted areas need resources quickly, and states need the flexibility to make the most of limited resources. Under current law, long-term disaster recovery funding takes years to trickle in. Louisiana communities impacted by Hurricanes Laura, Delta, Zeta, and Ida would have benefited from the reforms proposed by this bill because funds would have been made available within 30 days of the disaster declaration, rather than waiting almost two years for Congress to provide more substantial assistance.

“The foundation of this legislation is built on tough lessons learned from communities that are, unfortunately, experts in disaster response and recovery. The legislation will expedite recovery by pushing predictable federal dollars toward our impacted communities immediately because the federal response needs to meet the urgency folks are feeling,” Graves said. “But this bill isn’t just about Louisiana. Several states have experienced disasters recently, and sadly, under FEMA’s existing processes, their experience with the federal response timeline will also be woefully inadequate if history is any indication. Getting this bill signed into law is a national priority.”

“When disaster strikes, disruptive changes happen to people fast – the federal response needs to match the urgency that victims feel after having their lives turned upside down. That is why I am pleased to join my Republican colleague, Rep. Graves to reintroduce this important legislation. By establishing a separate funding stream for FEMA to disburse at least 10 percent of the estimated amount of grants for permanent repairs, restoration and replacement of damaged facilities in the immediate aftermath of disaster to address long-term rebuilding needs, this bill provides people a way out of the slow, unnecessary federal processes that often re-victimize people and jeopardize recovery for entire communities,” Plaskett said.

More about the legislation:

The Expediting Disaster Recovery Act (EDRA) would require FEMA to immediately fund 10 percent of estimated grant assistance under Sections 406 (repair, restoration & replacement of damaged facilities) and 408 (Individual Assistance) of the Stafford Act to respond to major disasters within 30 days of a disaster declaration.

This funding would be available for home repair and rebuilding, unmet needs for families, and emergency assistance for disaster-impacted businesses like food and agriculture.

Additionally, EDRA would authorize a permanent Emergency Home Repair Program, which would give FEMA more flexibility to make permanent repairs to homes and allow disaster victims to shelter in place while permanent repairs are completed. This saves taxpayer funding by eliminating both temporary and long-term repairs.

The bill also makes other Stafford Act improvements, such as requiring FEMA to share more information with disaster victims who have been denied assistance and ensures that victims have sufficient time to access critical disaster services.