Slashed in the name of efficiency, FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program is wanted back by Republicans led by North Carolinians in Congress and Democrats in multiple states.
The effort is from both chambers of the legislative branch, spearheaded by congressmen still hearing from constituents about Hurricane Helene. U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., and Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., led the request to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and FEMA Administrator David Richardson.
“The BRIC program is a proven, cost-effective tool that helps communities prepare for and withstand natural disaster,” the members of Congress say. “Rolling back this vital funding puts lives, infrastructure, and taxpayer dollars at greater risk.”
Sens. Patty Murray, D-Wash., Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., are colleagues of Tillis making the request. Reps. Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., and Ed Case, D-Hawaii, are colleagues of Edwards sharing in the effort.
On April 4, all BRIC applications for fiscal years 2020 to 2023 were canceled. For funds not distributed to states, tribes, territories and local communities, the funds were to be returned to the Disaster Relief Fund or the U.S. Treasury.
The agency, in a statement not attributed to anyone, said the program “was yet another example of a wasteful and ineffective FEMA program. It was more concerned with political agendas than helping Americans affected by natural disasters. Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, we are committed to ensuring that Americans in crisis can get the help and resources they need.”
FEMA said approximately $882 million from the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 would be returned to the Treasury or reapportioned by Congress in the next fiscal year.
Hurricane Helene came ashore in Florida on Sept. 26, dissipated over the mountains of three states and left 107 dead in North Carolina and 236 across seven states. Estimated damage was $60 billion in the Tarheel State. Monday marked 229 days since Category 4 Hurricane Helene crashed into Dekle Beach, Fla.
Following his inauguration on Jan. 20, the first trip out of Washington for President Donald Trump and his wife Melania was to the mountains of western North Carolina, followed by a visit to fire-ravaged California.
Trump created the Department of Government Efficiency for his second term, handing leadership to Elon Musk. Numerous federal programs and jobs were eliminated in the first 100 days of Trump’s presidency.
Edwards says for every dollar invested in disaster mitigation, up to $18 is saved in disaster response and recovery.
“We can and must improve the grant process to ensure fairness and transparency, but halting BRIC entirely is not the answer,” the eight lawmakers say. “Our communities depend on this funding to weather future storms.”
