Baton Rouge Reporter

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representatives Garret Graves (Louisiana) and Stacey Plaskett (U.S. Virgin Islands) have introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at expediting immediate disaster recovery funds to states in the aftermath of a major disaster. The bill, called the Expediting Disaster Recovery Act (EDRA), seeks to address the delays, waste, and inefficiencies of the current natural disaster recovery process.

Currently, the process of providing recovery funding to victims can take years. The EDRA bill aims to change this by providing upfront federal grant funding to local and state governments to help families get back into their homes and communities more quickly after a disaster. This approach recognizes that the longer people are displaced or focused on recovering their homes, the longer it takes to restore the local workforce and economy, ultimately resulting in the need for more federal government assistance.

Representative Graves explains that the inspiration for the bill came from the lessons learned from communities that have been experts in disaster response and recovery. He emphasizes the urgency of the federal response needing to match the urgency felt by victims. The proposed legislation would push predictable federal dollars towards impacted communities immediately after a disaster declaration, rather than waiting for Congress to provide assistance, which can take years.

"This bill isn't just about Louisiana," Graves says. "Several states have experienced disasters recently, and sadly, 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."

Representative Plaskett also highlights the need for a swift federal response that matches the urgency felt by disaster victims. She emphasizes the importance of establishing a separate funding stream for FEMA to disburse at least 10 percent of estimated grants for permanent repairs, restoration, and replacement of damaged facilities in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. This would address long-term rebuilding needs and provide a way out of the slow, unnecessary federal processes that can re-victimize people and jeopardize recovery for entire communities.

The EDRA bill, if passed, would require FEMA to immediately fund 10 percent of estimated grant assistance under Sections 406 and 408 of the Stafford Act, which pertain to repair, restoration, and replacement of damaged facilities, as well as individual assistance. This funding would be made available within 30 days of a disaster declaration and could be used for home repair and rebuilding, unmet needs for families, and emergency assistance for disaster-impacted businesses.

In addition to the immediate funding, the bill also authorizes a permanent Emergency Home Repair Program. This program would give FEMA more flexibility to make permanent repairs to homes and allow disaster victims to shelter in place while the repairs are completed. By eliminating the need for both temporary and long-term repairs, this program would save taxpayer funding.

The EDRA bill also includes other improvements to the Stafford Act. It requires 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.

Overall, the Expediting Disaster Recovery Act (EDRA) aims to provide more efficient and timely assistance to communities affected by natural disasters. By providing upfront federal grant funding and streamlining the recovery process, this bipartisan bill seeks to expedite the recovery efforts and help families get back on their feet sooner.

To find out more, go to this link: https://garretgraves.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/graves-and-plaskett-introduce-bipartisan-bill-kick-start-recovery