Given the frequency and severity of disasters this fall, we urge swift passage of the FEMA Assistance Relief Act in the House as it will make timely changes to assistance provided during an unparalleled 2020 disaster season.
September 29, 2020
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker of the House
United States House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
The Honorable Kevin McCarthy
Republican Leader
United States House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Speaker Pelosi and Leader McCarthy:
On behalf of our collective organizations, we write in support of H.R. 8266, the FEMA Assistance Relief Act, introduced by Representative Peter DeFazio and a bipartisan coalition of Members. Given the frequency and severity of disasters this fall, we urge swift passage of this legislation in the House as it will make timely changes to assistance provided during an unparalleled 2020 disaster season.
This legislation makes a critical change to FEMA assistance by adjusting the FEMA cost share for all Emergencies and Major Disasters declared in calendar year 2020 to not less than 90 percent Federal and 10 percent non-Federal. From hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, and myriad other events, this will provide much needed relief to state and local governments that are struggling with a pandemic, higher-than-usual unemployment, and economic recovery.
States and localities also support the provision in this legislation that adjusts the FEMA cost share for all COVID-19 related Emergency and Major Disaster declarations to 100 percent Federal. The statute that the President invoked (Section 501(b) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121-5207)) to declare a national emergency for COVID-19 acknowledges that “… the primary responsibility for response rests with the United States because… the United States exercises exclusive or preeminent responsibility and authority.” Therefore, the shift to 100 percent Federal cost share is wholly justified and we appreciate Congress’s willingness to address our collective ask for this waiver.
Finally, the bill clarifies eligible assistance under the Stafford Act for purposes of COVID-19 related disasters. On August 25, 2020, we sent a letter to Administrator Gaynor asking him not to change guidance on eligibility while state and local governments remain in a state of response for COVID-19. This legislation will clarify Congressional intent and ensure we can continue procuring equipment such as personal protective equipment (PPE) and other services for applicants including public schools, public transit, and courthouses.
Thank you very much for your attention to our request and we hope you can move this legislation quickly through both chambers. This legislation will provide much needed assistance to state, local, tribal and territorial governments. It is an important and urgently needed step that will help our nation combat this global pandemic and a continually challenging 2020 disaster season.
Sincerely,
- National Governors Association
- Governors Homeland Security Advisors Council
- International City/County Management Association
- International Association of Emergency Managers
- National Association of Counties
- National Conference of State Legislatures
- National Emergency Management Association
- National League of Cities
- The Council of State Governments
- The United States Conference of Mayors
cc:
- The Honorable Mitch McConnell
- The Honorable Chuck Schumer
- The Honorable Peter DeFazio
- The Honorable Nita Lowey
