Mace, colleagues form new caucus focused on disaster preparedness, recovery

U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) on Aug. 1 joined a bipartisan contingent of lawmakers to unveil the newly formed Bipartisan Congressional Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Caucus.

“In a coastal district like mine, natural disasters are an inevitable part of life. As coastal areas face increased risks from flooding and sea level rise, we must take preemptive steps to prepare and protect our most vulnerable communities,” Rep. Mace said. “This caucus will serve as an important bipartisan platform to ensure our nation is prepared for and able to recover from natural disasters whenever and wherever they strike.”

Rep. Mace and U.S. Reps. Troy Carter (D-LA), Carlos Gimenez (R-FL), and Joe Neguse (D-CO) announced the creation of the caucus. The four members are caucus co-chairs and represent regions of the United States that experience myriad natural disasters.

The caucus plans to work in a bipartisan manner to advance legislation and policies that provide relief for disaster survivors and promote measures to help communities recover following a disaster, the information states, and will advocate for disaster preparedness measures and programs.

“Disasters don’t recognize borders or political parties and neither should our nation’s disaster preparedness or recovery system,” said Rep. Carter. “As extreme weather events increase in frequency and intensity due to climate change, we need to work together to strengthen our systems and save lives.”

For instance, Rep. Gimenez pointed out that South Florida remains a high-risk area for flooding and storm damage. “The creation of the new Bipartisan Congressional Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Caucus will serve as a phenomenal tool in crafting legislation to better protect our communities prone to natural disasters,” he said. 

“With wildfires on the rise in Colorado and across the West,” added Rep. Neguse, “it is clear that these catastrophic events are not going away any time soon and we must be prepared to do all we can to prepare our communities.”