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News
Release June 1, 2006 Contact:
Joanne Peters On
First Day of Hurricane Season, WASHINGTON - On the first day of hurricane season, U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington), the only N.C. member of the Homeland Security Committee, called on Congress to move quickly to pass legislation he has introduced to restructure and strengthen the Federal Emergency Management Agency. "Today is the first day of hurricane season, and North Carolinians understand that we must fix FEMA," said Etheridge. "I urge the Leadership of the House of Representatives to schedule H.R. 5351 for a vote as soon as possible. With another busy hurricane season predicted, Congress must step into the leadership void and fix this broken system. Passing this bill will allow FEMA to fulfill its mission as the primary federal response and support agency in times of disaster and save North Carolina lives and property." The House Homeland Security Committee voted unanimously to approve H.R. 5351 on May 17. As of June 1, Speaker Hastert had not scheduled a vote by the full House of Representatives. H.R. 5351, the National Emergency Management Reform and Enhancement Act of 2006, would correct the deficiencies of the Federal Emergency Management Agency that were exposed during Hurricane Katrina. The bill takes steps to improve communication and coordination at the federal, state and local levels; strengthen disaster preparedness and response capabilities nationwide; and eliminate waste, fraud and abuse. It will ensure that FEMA is headed by an experienced emergency management professional with the authority to report directly to the President. The bill is bipartisan and
bicameral, with the support of Democrats and Republicans on the House
and Senate Homeland Security Committees. Etheridge introduced the bill
with Homeland Security Committee Chairman Rep. Peter King (R-NJ), Ranking
Member Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-LA), Rep. David Reichert (R-WA), Rep. Bill
Pascrell (D-NJ) and Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX). The provisions of the
bill are supported in the Senate by the Chair and Ranking Member of the
Senate Homeland Security Committee, Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Sen.
Joe Lieberman (D-CT). Details of H.R. 5351, the National Emergency Management Reform and Enhancement Act of 2006 Improve Preparedness and Response Measures Nationwide
Streamline Coordination
and Communication at the Federal, State, and Local Levels
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