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More on Wildfires

DeFazio, Thompson, Panetta, Lee and Newhouse Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Reauthorize Whip Program for 2020 Wildfires, Support Growers with Crops Damaged by Smoke Taint

Nov 19, 2020 Press Release

Today Rep. Peter DeFazio (OR-04), along with original co-authors Mike Thompson (CA-05), Representatives Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), Barbara Lee (CA-13), and Dan Newhouse (WA-04), announced the introduction of the 2020 WHIP+ Reauthorization Act.

This bipartisan bill reactivates the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+) for 2020 natural disasters, including wildfires. The WHIP program offers critical assistance to agricultural producers, including grape growers, whose crops were impacted by smoke taint.

DeFazio-Led Bill to Reduce Financial Burdens on States and Communities Facing Disasters Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic, including Wildfires and Hurricanes, Passes the House

Nov 17, 2020 Press Release

Today, legislation led by Transportation and Infrastructure Chair Peter DeFazio to ease financial burdens on States, local, and tribal communities that have been granted Stafford Act Emergency and Major Disaster declarations this year, the FEMA Assistance Relief Act of 2020, passed the House of Representatives.

Oregon Delegation Urges FEMA to Assume 100 Percent Cost Share for Wildfire Impacts

Nov 17, 2020 Press Release

Oregon’s entire congressional delegation is urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assume 100 percent of the cost share for debris removal and emergency protective measures from the wildfires that ripped through the state this year.

 

The letter to FEMA from U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, U.S. Reps. Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, Greg Walden, Suzanne Bonamici and Kurt Schrader comes in support of a similar state cost-share request.

DeFazio Urges Wildfire Victims to Register for FEMA Assistance Ahead of November 16 Deadline

Nov 13, 2020 Press Release

Ahead of the November 16 deadline to apply for Individual Assistance, Rep. Peter DeFazio (OR-04) today urged victims of Oregon’s recent wildfires to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Registration is open for those affected by wildfires in Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, and Marion counties until Monday, November 16. 

DeFazio Pushes FEMA Administrator Peter Gaynor to Support Direct Housing Mission in Lane County

Nov 6, 2020 Press Release

More than a month after the State of Oregon requested the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approve a Direct Housing Mission in Lane County, Rep. Peter DeFazio (OR-04) today wrote to FEMA Administrator Peter Gaynor pushing FEMA to approve the state’s request following September’s devastating wildfires.  

DeFazio Applauds FEMA Approval of Public Assistance Funding for Wildfire Recovery

Oct 21, 2020 Press Release

Rep. Peter DeFazio (OR-04) today applauded the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for approving Oregon’s request for Public Assistance funding to repair public infrastructure damaged earlier this year by wildfires.

Last week, DeFazio led the Oregon delegation in a letter to FEMA Administrator Peter Gaynor urging support for Governor Kate Brown’s request for Public Assistance Categories C through G, which would fund repairs for roads and bridges, water control facilities, public buildings and equipment, utilities, and parks and recreation areas.

DeFazio, OR Delegation Urges FEMA to Approve Public Assistance Funding for Oregon Wildfire Recovery

Oct 16, 2020 Press Release

Rep. Peter DeFazio (OR-04) today led Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Reps. Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Greg Walden (OR-02), Kurt Schrader (OR-05) and Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) in urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support Oregon’s request for Public Assistance funding to repair public infrastructure damaged earlier this year by wildfires.

Rep. DeFazio, Oregon Delegation Urge FEMA to Approve Direct Housing Assistance for Wildfire Victims

Oct 4, 2020 Press Release

Rep. Peter DeFazio today led the Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Reps. Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Greg Walden (OR-02), Kurt Schrader (OR-05) and Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)  in urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to approve the State of Oregon’s request for direct housing assistance utilizing a full range of options for wildfire victims.

 

DeFazio-Authored Legislation to Reduce Financial Burdens on States, Tribes and Communities After Disasters and Emergencies During COVID-19 Pandemic Proceeds to House Floor

Sep 30, 2020 Press Release

Today, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure marked up legislation authored by T&I Chair Peter DeFazio to reduce the financial burdens on states, tribes and local communities after natural disasters, such as wildfires, floods, and hurricanes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bill will now get a vote on the floor as part of House Democrats’ updated COVID-19 relief legislation.

DeFazio, Wyden, Merkley, Blumenauer Introduce Legislation to Ensure Equal Access to Disaster Relief for Cannabis Businesses

Sep 24, 2020 Press Release

Rep. Peter DeFazio, with U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and U.S. Reps. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., today introduced legislation that would ensure state-legal cannabis businesses can qualify for disaster recovery programs like any other business.