Brian Mast: “I would like to thank my friend from Pennsylvania for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize my committee…”

“I would like to thank my friend from Pennsylvania for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize my committee colleagues from the great State of Florida, Ms. Frankel and Mr. Webster, on promoting this important piece of legislation. I am very proud to be a cosponsor of this bill. There is no question for Florida that the emergency management capabilities are among the best in the Nation, but some disasters are even beyond what we can handle and what we can handle in an effective and timely manner. Right now in our State, we are battling wildfires across the State. We are on the eve of a brand-new hurricane season which happens year after year. These FEMA disaster relief programs are necessary, they are critical, and they are one of the most important responsibilities of the Federal Government to help States and their citizenry recover; but, unfortunately, there is an issue going on. Many counties in south Florida are still fighting to this day with FEMA to defend the legitimacy of disaster relief aid that they received following one of the worst hurricane seasons in our State's history, where hurricane after hurricane after hurricane crossed the shores of Florida. Mr.…”