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Hearing to Focus on the Rising Costs of Federal Disaster Response

Washington, DC, May 6, 2016 | Justin Harclerode (202) 225-9446
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The Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee, chaired by U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta (R-PA), will hold a hearing next week to explore the rising costs of federal responses to disasters and potential solutions for lowering such costs.

Research shows an overall increase in disaster declarations since the 1950s, with associated costs totaling over one trillion dollars in North America.  Next week’s hearing will examine data related to disaster costs, the trends observed over time, and future projections under current federal disaster assistance policies, programs, and requirements.  The hearing will continue exploring potential solutions for lowering the overall costs of disasters and avoiding devastating losses.

The Subcommittee hearing, entitled, “Controlling the Rising Cost of Federal Responses to Disaster” is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 12, 2016, in 2167 Rayburn House Office Building.

Witness List:

  • The Honorable Carlos Curbelo, U.S. Representative, 26th District, Florida
  • The Honorable Joseph L. Nimmich, Deputy Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency
  • Mr. Brian Koon, Director, Florida Division of Emergency Management; President, National Emergency Management Association
  • Mr. Kevin Mickey, GISP, CTT+, Chair, Multihazard Mitigation Council, National Institute of Building Sciences
  • Ms. Sallie Clark, Commissioner, El Paso County, Colorado; President, National Association of Counties, International Association of Emergency Managers
  • Mr. Eric Nelson, Vice President, Catastrophe Strategy & Analysis, The Travelers Companies, Inc., Build Strong Coalition

    More information about the hearing, including testimony, additional background information, and link to live webcast, will be posted here as it becomes available. 

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