Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard: Reckless GOP Cuts Will Undermine Disaster Preparedness

Statement

At today's hearing of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard condemned cuts proposed by House Republicans to key Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant programs aimed at improving the preparedness and response capabilities of state and local governments. These dangerous reductions will increase the vulnerability of Southern California to the potentially devastating consequences of a major earthquake or tsunami--a frightening prospect in light of the recent catastrophe in Japan.

"H.R. 1 slashes more than $800 million from FEMA grant programs," the congresswoman said, citing the Republican plan to fund the federal government for the remainder of the current fiscal year. "Unfortunately, these cuts come at a time when, according to the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General, state and local governments across the country have been forced to significantly reduce their spending on emergency management. As a result of the proposed cuts, Los Angeles would stand to lose almost $16 million in critically important funds to enable our city to protect against acts of terrorism, respond to natural disasters, and improve emergency communications."

In response to the congresswoman's concerns, FEMA Director Craig Fugate, an experienced emergency manager, agreed that the Republican cuts could undermine the ability of FEMA's partners to meet the challenges posed by natural disasters, potentially increasing the burden that would fall on the federal government in these situations. Degrading the capabilities of state and local governments, he argued, could ultimately increase the cost to taxpayers. He also outlined new collaborative efforts with the California state government to improve earthquake and tsunami preparedness.

Through her position on House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard has long advocated for more robust funding for emergency management both at the federal level and in Southern California to address the threat of natural disasters.

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