Jeff Denham: “Let me first start by saying I am proud that we have got another bipartisan bill here that addresses many different…”

“Let me first start by saying I am proud that we have got another bipartisan bill here that addresses many different areas from FEMA to IPAWS. Getting the tribal language in here, I think, is not only a good bipartisan effort, but one that the administration is supporting, as well working directly with Director Fugate. I was glad to see the administration put out an email on the tribal language just a little while ago. Let me respond to the concern that this bill may not allow FEMA to respond to a terrorist attack. It's just not true. First, the President used the Stafford Act and FEMA to declare a Federal disaster and to respond to every major terrorist attack in this country. There's no question FEMA, the Stafford Act, or this bill fully authorizes the President to direct any element of the Federal Government to respond to a terrorist attack. Second, one of the most important reforms made by this bill is to remove the liability cloud hanging over our urban search and rescue teams when they're called into Federal service to respond to a disaster. On September 11, these teams responded to the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. They responded to Hurricane Katrina and even the earthquake in Haiti. Many of these brave first responders are licensed medical professionals or engineers who knowingly put themselves at risk when they are federalized and sent to other States.…”