Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1678, which I rise in support of, is a bill that will clarify the existing statute of limitations for public assistance provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, to State, tribal, and local grantees. Pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, or the Stafford Act, FEMA provides public assistance grants to State, tribal, and local governments to assist in their recovery efforts after a disaster strikes. Generally, FEMA approves the use for public assistance funds immediately after the disaster or while the project is being completed. This is the appropriate time to decide how a grantee should spend disaster funds. Once the project is completed, the grantee submits documentation of completion to FEMA. However, in some instances, FEMA or the inspector general has reviewed projects many years or even a decade after the grantee has submitted project completion documents. At times, FEMA has changed its policy determination on the appropriate use of the funds, or the inspector general has second-guessed FEMA's decision on the appropriate use of the funds. FEMA then tries to recover project funds years later. Under this bill introduced by Congresswoman Frankel, FEMA may still attempt to recover funds but must do so within 3 years after the project is completed. I commend Representative Frankel for her commitment to address this issue.…”