Texas has been the epicenter of a great natural disaster this year.

I think we should have had more assets pre-positioned to handle the Bastrop and others.

I do think that we should have had more in terms of aviation assets pre-positioned.

we did pass, you know, a short-term continuing resolution, which does fund FEMA. It's a clean funding bill, which I supported, particularly given what's happened in the State of Texas.

I think that's--that's a clear lesson learned we ought to be taking from this.

FEMA must also change its defined jurisdictions for declarations.

What happened in Texas this year is inexcusable and unacceptable.

Let me say thank you for your efforts on behalf of the State of Texas. I think the response at the highest levels of the State and the volunteer fire departments was really phenomenal, and so thank you for that.

The State of Texas remains to be a tinderbox, and I think it's very foreseeable, as it has been this past year, that we'll have many more fires, unfortunately.

Let me echo your sentiments about the local volunteer firefighters. They really were the heroes of this story.

I think it's outdated. The Stafford Act, which governs disaster response, recognizes that the States and local communities and not the Federal Government--I emphasize, not the Federal Government--have the primary responsibility to address…

We want to thank you, Mr. Starbuck, and thank you for your great service.