Rep. Delgado Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Help Rural Communities Recover From Disasters

Statement

Today, U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado (NY-19) introduced a bipartisan bill to strengthen assistance for rural communities that apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster relief. The Small State and Rural Rescue Act, introduced by Reps. Delgado, Katko (NY-24), Titus (NV-01), Pappas (NH-01), Guest (MS-03), and Gimenez (FL-26), expands FEMA's Small State and Rural Advocate's (SSRA) ability to assist rural communities with disaster funding applications.

"New York's 19th Congressional District has experienced historic flooding, winter storms, and winds in recent years. Hurricanes Ida and Irene caused millions of dollars' worth of damages to public infrastructure and property, " said Rep. Delgado. "I've been a strong advocate in ensuring communities impacted by these disasters have access to FEMA financial assistance. We must do more to help rural communities when disaster strikes, which is why I am proud to work with my Republican and Democratic colleagues to introduce the Small State and Rural Rescue Act. "

The Small State and Rural Rescue Act expands the authority of FEMA's Small State and Rural Advocate (SSRA) to ensure the SSRA can assist rural communities in the collection and presentation of materials for disaster assistance. Under current law, SSRA is limited in its ability to provide the critical assistance rural communities need during the application process.

In September 2021, Rep. Delgado made a successful bipartisan, bicameral request to President Biden to commit federal resources to Hurricane Ida Recovery. Delgado also successfully fought to secure FEMA individual and public assistance for Dutchess County residents impacted by Hurricane Ida.

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