Rick Larsen

Thank you, Chairman Nehls, for calling this hearing on pipeline safety and for your kind words about our colleague and friend, Representative Donald M. Payne, Jr.

Thank you, Chair Nehls, for calling this hearing on pipeline safety and for your kind words about our colleague and friend, Representative Donald M. Payne, Jr.

This law creates a great incentive for states to proactively fund mitigation measures.

The approach for addressing the health of the Disaster Relief Fund is the $9 billion supplemental request that was submitted last year.

We were in a situation of Immediate Needs Funding last year as well, where payments had to be slowed.

What it will mean is that some projects that were slated to get funding otherwise will be delayed.

The Disaster Relief Fund is expected to run out sometime this August.

That is why I support increasing the set-aside for the BRIC program, from 6 to 15 percent.

I strongly support the additional investments the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law made in these programs.

Every $1 invested in hazard mitigation results in $13 saved.

Hazard mitigation offers a solution.

According to the National Institute of Building Sciences, every $1 invested in hazard mitigation results in $13 saved.

FEMA can help States and disaster survivors cover some recovery costs, but many disasters go undeclared.

Disasters cost taxpayers billions of dollars each year. Last year, climate and weather-related disasters caused over $92.9 billion in impacts nationwide.

Submissions for the Record by Hon. Rick Larsen:

I am heartened to see that the President understands this and included in his budget request a 21 percent increase for the Federal Maritime Commission.

Sexual assault and harassment have no place in society. Every mariner deserves to be respected and deserves to feel safe out at sea.

I am pleased that the President's budget request includes $20 million for the Small Shipyard Grant Program.

Infrastructure investments in seaports provide opportunities to bolster our economy, strengthen the supply chain, create and sustain jobs and enhance our international competitiveness.

I am disappointed that the President's budget includes a 35 percent cut in funding for the Port Infrastructure Development Program.

The Federal Maritime Commission will require more funding and personnel to fully address the new investigative and prosecutorial authorities provided under the law.

I look forward to hearing from Chairman Maffei today on the status of FMC's efforts.

I hope to work with MARAD to ensure all applications are processed in a timely fashion as required by law.

Together, these agencies promote the United States maritime industry and protect consumers against unfair shipping practices.

Now is the time to strengthen and support that industry.