Donald Payne Jr.

I think there--apparently there is a common thread from our colleagues on the other side of the aisle. Climate change is causing a lot of these disasters to be magnified.

The world is getting warmer, and that's a fact.

Scientists from all over the world are clear, if we don't start taking steps to address this issue, it will soon be too late.

Climate change is here. It's happening. The scientific evidence is there, and it is a threat to our security.

As climate change continues to make extreme weather events worse, our critical infrastructure will be at risk of failing.

If we do not start taking steps to address this issue, it will soon be too late.

Let me be clear: Climate change is here, it is happening, and the scientific evidence is there, and it is a threat to our security.

It is critical that the LEPCs are up and effectively running.

I take a lot of pride in that as well.

I want to make sure that it is safe and protected.

Thank you for holding this timely hearing as well.

I understand the IAFC prepares programs to assist LEPCs in strengthening their pipeline incident preparedness efforts.

It is kind of a tag-team approach between what PHMSA can do with transmission lines and the State oversight.

It takes a will of both the locality as well as industry to meet and form the LEPC.

I think he stated it best, and I agree with both sides. It is a bit of a dilemma to be in this position.

Unfortunately, funding for preparedness grants, the Homeland Security Grant Program, has not fully rebounded from cuts imposed by the Republican-controlled House in fiscal years 2011 and 2012.

Research shows that for every $1 we invest in mitigation funding, we save $6 from reduced damage after a disaster.

That starts with investing more in preparedness before a disaster occurs, with the hope of saving lives and property and reducing costs after a disaster.

As we have seen the last few years, disasters are affecting communities across America more frequently and more intensely.

Based on the outcomes from the 2017 storms, particularly in Puerto Rico, there is no question that the Federal Government's response needs improvement.

However, FEMA's Pre-Disaster Mitigation Fund still gets shortchanged every year. That needs to change.

Research shows that for every dollar we invest in mitigation funding, we save $6 from reduced damage after a disaster.

Congress has to ensure that the Federal Government is doing everything possible to support communities as they prepare for and recover from disasters.

In addition to being on this subcommittee, I am also a member of the Homeland Security Committee, and I am very concerned about the use of drones for the wrong reasons, reasons such as terrorist attacks, or to cause air traffic disruptions…

I think there are a lot of areas where you could have done better.