Congressman Carter Reforms the Bipartisan Congressional Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Caucus
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As we approach the 20th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina tomorrow, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-La.) has reformed the Bipartisan Congressional Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Caucus for the 119th Congress. Joining him as co-chairs are Reps. Joe Neguse (D-CO), Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), Carlos A. Gimenez (R-FL), and Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ).
The caucus will work across the aisle to advance legislation and policies that provide efficient, equitable relief for disaster survivors and promote measures that pave the path for impacted communities to make a full recovery. They will also advocate for disaster preparedness measures and programs that help save lives, while readying America’s communities for the disasters ahead.
“Hurricane Katrina, and all the storms we have experienced since then, taught us that natural disasters know no boundaries, and neither should our nation’s disaster preparedness or recovery systems,” said Rep. Carter. “As the climate crisis makes extreme weather events more frequent and intense, we need to work together to save lives and strengthen our systems. This bipartisan caucus is committed to advocating for effective preparedness and recovery measures and programs that best serve the American people and don’t leave anyone behind. As we mark twenty years since the most devastating storm in our nation’s history, this work is more critical now than it ever has been.”
The co-chairs of this caucus represent regions that experience a wide variety of natural disasters ranging from hurricanes to wildfires to flooding and have all directly navigated the disaster recovery process. They are coming together from across the political spectrum and across the country to advocate for better and improved disaster preparedness and recovery systems.
“As the first emergency manager elected to Congress, I’ve seen firsthand what works in our emergency management system and what doesn’t. This system needs reform, but it also needs the tools to be fully prepared when disaster strikes. Now more than ever, it’s critical that Congress has a strong, bipartisan voice advocating for disaster preparedness and recovery, which is why I teamed up with Congressman Carter to cofound this bipartisan caucus. I look forward to continuing our work pushing commonsense reforms and ensuring that lifesaving resources are there when Florida communities need them most,” said Rep. Moskowitz (FL- 23).
“As Americans face increasing numbers of natural disasters — wildfires, floods, hurricanes — we must do all we can to prepare our communities to respond and recover in the wake of tragedy. That’s why I’m honored to continue the vital work of the bipartisan Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Caucus in the 119th Congress,” said Rep. Neguse (CO-02).
“The Congressional Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Caucus is vital to developing common-sense policies that keep disaster-prone communities safe. As a firefighter paramedic, Fire Chief, and Mayor, I have witnessed firsthand the critical importance of rapid, reliable resources during hurricane season. I look forward to working with my colleagues to protect families in Miami, the Florida Keys, and communities across our nation,” said Rep. Gimenez (FL-26).
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