AFC Action

🏹 Less red tape: The legislation takes steps to simplify burdensome and duplicative processes, helping communities and individuals recover without navigating a maze of rules and time-consuming applications.

Big news in FL! 🎉@jenn_bradley and @CHunschofsky's bipartisan flood disclosure bill has been signed by the Governor. This effort will help FL homebuyers and renters better understand their flood risk and whether they need flood insurance. Learn more⤵️ sun-sentinel.com/2024/09/22/new…

This week, T&I Committee leaders introduced bipartisan legislation to provide the most robust legislative reform of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and federal disaster assistance programs in decades. transportation.house.gov/news/documents…

Democrats and Republicans on this Committee agree that FEMA is in need of reform. Today, @TransportDems and @TransportGOP released the FEMA Act of 2025 to improve the agency’s ability to help communities before and after disaster strikes. democrats-transportation.house.gov/news/press-rel…

Exciting progress toward smarter disaster policy in Congress this week! Thank you for leading these important priorities forward, @TransportGOP, @TransportDems, @BankingGOP, and @SenateBanking !

👏 Huge credit to Chairman Sam Graves, Ranking Member Rick Larsen, and Reps. Daniel Webster, and Greg Stanton for their leadership on the FEMA Act, and Chairman Tim Scott and Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren for their leadership on CDBG-DR.

When disasters strike, local leaders don’t have time for bureaucracy when their towns are underwater or their schools are closed. They need clear answers, fast funding, and fewer obstacles. This bipartisan legislation is a powerful step in that direction.

Another long-term priority for the Coalition, the permanent authorization of CDBG-DR means states and communities will have a consistent, streamlined set of rules for long-term recovery across disasters. It will speed up recovery, reduce bureaucracy, and help communities rebuild…

2️⃣ The Senate Banking Committee introduced legislation that would permanently authorize the Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program.

📬 One-stop application portal: A universal application will replace the current patchwork of forms, a game-changer for disaster survivors. ⛑️ Clear denial and appeal process: Disaster survivors will now receive plain-language decisions, making it easier to understand and…

⚡ Modernized processes: Practical reforms that open the door for innovative tech like drones and satellites in damage assessment.

💰 Upfront funding: Communities will now receive project-based grants to rebuild infrastructure faster, rather than waiting years for reimbursement which strains local budgets.

The bipartisan FEMA reform legislation directly reflects six of the American Flood Coalition’s key policy priorities, solutions shaped by the real challenges our Coalition members and communities face across the country. If signed into law, the legislation would provide:

1️⃣ The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee introduced the FEMA Act of 2025 (H.R. 4669) with the most significant overhaul of FEMA and federal disaster assistance in decades.

🚨 Big news in disaster recovery reform and resilience! This week we’ve seen two major bipartisan updates from Congress that would transform how communities prepare for and recover from disasters - FEMA reform and the permanent authorization of CDBG-DR. lnkd.in/eeh6QyDV

NC House leaders were responsive to that priority &worked w/ @afcaction on a $20m provision in their recently passed -& bipartisan- Helene Recovery bill. I've been visiting with communities in WNC to hear about how this can save taxpayers $ & improve public safety. Waynesville:

@afcaction & WNC leaders have been actively meeting with NC Senators on this and other top priorities for the #WNCPartnership We appreciate all the positive response we have received thus far. Big thx to #ncga for their ongoing #Helene effort

Thank you @SenThomTillis @lisamurkowski @PattyMurray @ChrisVanHollen for leading a bipartisan, bicameral letter in support of reinstating critical @FEMA pre-disaster BRIC grants! appropriations.senate.gov/news/minority/…