Troy Carter

I want to welcome everyone to Louisiana's Second Congressional District--my home.

I am pleased that the Biden administration recently announced nearly $2 billion in grant funding to help communities mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Your testimony has demonstrated the fundamental unfairness of the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset.

To fix this issue that affects everyone in your position that a bipartisan solution is the answer.

I would like to acknowledge the Biden administration's efforts to end human trafficking and smuggling through the 2022 launch of the Counter Human Smuggler Campaign.

Human trafficking and smuggling are not new problems that the country is facing, sadly, we have had these problems for decades and the only real way to make headway is to work together.

I am disappointed that in announcing this hearing, my Republican colleagues decided to make this hearing part of a multiple phase plan to impeach or smear the President and the Secretary of Homeland Security.

I am proud to call and tell him that we delivered on it, delivered on it because of the ability to pass the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill which changed lives.

Reconnecting communities is a very important point for us to segue.

I took the bait. I stepped up and said we are going to do something about it.

I will never pass up an opportunity when in your presence to talk about Risk Rating 2.0 and the devastation that it has, particularly on Louisiana, but in multiple other States.

What step is the Agency taking to mitigate heat hazards in our community?

As a result of climate change, deadly heat waves have gripped our Nation from coast to coast.

Isn't it true that such an action of shutting down the Government or having a continuing resolution that drastically impedes your ability to provide resources, impacts Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and the like throughout our…

In the case of such a drastic act of shutting down the Government or having a continuing resolution that freezes funding, what does that do to your agency?

If a $2.4 billion storm were to hit right now and empty the DRF, what would happen if a subsequent disaster struck?

I believe you have existing authority that would let you do a rulemaking to provide that flexibility and equity.

We know that these storms come harder, come faster, stay longer, and leave more devastation in their path.

I want to extend my gratitude to the witnesses here today. First responders, like yourselves, keep communities safe from terrorist threats.

Thank you. FEMA has increased its staffing since 2017. However, even with the increase in staffing, FEMA still has some 6,000 people short of its staffing goal of 17,670, which FEMA hopes to achieve by 2026.

To reinforce strong recruitment and retention of FEMA employees and ensure the agency can succeed at its mission, FEMA must prioritize hiring of full-time employees under Title 5 authority.

Let me add to the chorus of appreciation from the Members that's been expressed today for the great work that the men and women of FEMA do.

It's hard to deny that there is such a thing as climate change.

However, this methodology is not building equity in Louisiana.

Families should not have to choose between food on the table and paying a ridiculously high flood insurance premiums.