Bart Stupak: “Mr. Chairman, the Stafford Act requires that a major disaster request must be based on a situation of such severity and…”

“Mr. Chairman, the Stafford Act requires that a major disaster request must be based on a situation of such severity and magnitude that effective response is ``beyond the capabilities of State and local governments and supplemental Federal assistance is required.'' What about those situations where it is beyond the capabilities of local governments, but the State refuses to act? I would hope that politics do not become a factor when our citizens cry out for help, but unfortunately, that seems to be the case sometimes. Mr. Chairman, currently our system of Federal assistance is like a chain, with each link dependent upon the other. When a disaster strikes, our citizens desperately cling to the bottom of this chain, or lifeline, if you will, while waiting for help from above. If one link in the chain fails, however, our citizens' needs fall by the wayside. I do not believe that the well-being of our citizens should rest solely with a chain that could contain a faulty link. I believe there needs to be a safety line, one that you hope will never have to be used, but that exists should the current system fail to ensure that we do not drop our citizens that are desperately seeking help.”