Political Quotes

“I rise in support of H.R. 3181 the Predisaster Mitigation Reauthorization Act. The purpose is to reauthorize predisaster mitigation which provides assistance on a competitive basis to States and localities to undertake hazard mitigation projects. It is absolutely incontrovertible that if we take steps early in the process, we will protect lives, we will protect property. There is an added benefit in keeping disaster costs down and insurance rates in check. One way or another, we all pay for natural disaster events through Federal disaster relief and insurance premiums. Nationwide, annual homeowner insurance premiums have increased 42.2 percent since 1995. In the last 25 years, there have been almost 1,000 Presidential disasters declared, and the GAO has estimated that Federal disaster relief has increased fivefold in the course of the last decade. Not only will this legislation help homeowners be whole again, but it will save taxpayers billions of dollars in disaster assistance in the long haul.”