Category: US Senate

Source: United States Senator for Maryland Chris Van Hollen

May 19, 2023

This week, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) reintroduced the Safe Environment from Countries Under Repression and in Emergency (SECURE) Act, legislation to allow qualified TPS recipients to apply for legal permanent residency.

“America has a long tradition of offering refuge to those who face imminent danger in returning to their countries. During that time, many TPS recipients have become part of the fabric of our communities as our small business owners, neighbors, coworkers, and friends — all while many of these countries remain in turmoil. After the legal uncertainty that has clouded the TPS program over the past several years, this bill will offer recipients the peace of mind of knowing that they can remain safely in the U.S. and continue to call this nation their home,” said Senator Van Hollen.

“There are TPS recipients across the country, including more than 21,000 Maryland residents, who are hard-working individuals, making valuable contributions to our local communities every day,” said Senator Cardin. “Creating a pathway to permanent residency through the SECURE Act is the right thing to do. It’s better for our national security, for our economy and for the hundreds of thousands of TPS recipients who live and work lawfully in the United States.”

“Our bill will protect individuals and families that have lived and worked in the United States for years under temporary protections. Having fled some of the worst circumstances imaginable in their countries of origin, the least we can do is ensure they have peace of mind with permanent protections,” said Senator Feinstein.

TPS is a temporary, legal immigration status granted to foreign citizens who are endangered by conditions in their home country resulting from extraordinary events such as ongoing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or epidemic. TPS status is granted for set periods ranging from six to 18 months, requiring the Department of Homeland Security to extend a country’s status on a recurring basis. Each time a country is recertified, recipients must reapply and pass a thorough background check. Currently, there are approximately 670,000 people with TPS in the United States.

The SECURE Act is needed now more than ever in light of the pending decision in Ramos v. Nielsen in the Ninth Circuit. In that case, beneficiaries of TPS and their U.S.-citizen children challenge the Trump administration’s termination of protections for individuals from El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Sudan, and later for Nepal and Honduras. Though the Biden Administration has since re-designated TPS for Haiti and Sudan, it has not done so for the other four countries. Without executive action, an adverse ruling in this case would result in the potential deportation of thousands of TPS recipients from these four countries who have built lives, started businesses, and raised families in the United States to countries facing ongoing violence and instability.

The SECURE Act will provide long-term stability for these individuals and their communities by giving them the ability to apply for legal permanent residency. Under the bill, all TPS recipients who were qualified under the most recent TPS designation and who have been continuously present in the United States for at least three years would be eligible to apply for legal permanent residency.

Additionally, under the SECURE Act:

• A spouse, domestic partner, child, or unmarried child of a qualifying non-citizen would be eligible to obtain permanent resident status (upon meeting certain requirements).
• Individuals with a pending TPS application will receive work authorization and be eligible for travel authorization.
• Non-citizens who have a pending application or is prima facie eligible for permanent status under the bill and intends to apply are shielded from deportation.
• Information from an applicant’s application may not be shared or used for immigration enforcement purposes, with limited exceptions, such as for the identification of fraudulent claims.
• DHS must report to Congress when terminating a country’s TPS designation with an explanation to justify the termination. 

Senators Van Hollen, Cardin, and Feinstein were joined in introducing this legislation by Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

Bill text can be viewed here.

This legislation is endorsed by the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA), CASA, United Workers Party, TPS Alliance, and Working Families United.

“LIUNA commends Senators Van Hollen, Cardin, and Feinstein on their continued leadership in working to protect Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients with the re-introduction of the Safe Environment from Countries Under Repression and Emergency (SECURE) Act. Many thousands of union members in the construction industry have Temporary Protected Status. The SECURE Act would allow these valued members of our union to remain in our country. The bill would protect workers from all TPS designated nations, and their immediate family members, who have had a continuous presence in the U.S. The bill will also give them a path to legal permanent resident status as well as eventual naturalization. Thousands of union members have lived and worked in our country for years under TPS, paying taxes while supporting their families. Approximately thirty percent of TPS recipients work in the construction industry. These workers build America every day and are vital to our nation’s economy. LIUNA is proud to endorse the SECURE Act and urges the Senate to bring this legislation to the floor for passage immediately,” said Brent Booker, General President, LIUNA.

“This critical legislation recognizes the urgent need to protect and provide a path to permanent residency to those most in need. The SECURE Act not only upholds our values of compassion and fairness but also acknowledges the invaluable contributions our community has made to society. CASA stands in strong support and looks forward to continuing to work alongside Senator Van Hollen to ensure that those who have sought safety and stability in our country can build a secure future for themselves and their families,” said Gustavo Torres, Executive Director, CASA.

“Despite the political challenges in congress TPS migrant families continue to advocate for a pathway to residency. The National TPS Alliance encourages any legislative vehicle that will guarantee our permanent residency and bring justice to our immigrant community. Today’s reintroduction of the SECURE Act in the Senate serves as a confirmation of our advocacy. We applaud Senator Van Hollen’s allyship in this effort and hope to see other congressional leaders support this legislation,” said Mardoel Hernandez, TPS recipient from Honduras and National TPS Alliance Executive Committee Member.

Source: United States Senator for Kansas – Jerry Moran

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), ranking member and chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, welcomed the Artemis II astronauts, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and Canadian Space Agency President Lisa Campbell to Capitol Hill and spoke on the importance of the Artemis missions.

CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen; Sen. Moran; NASA astronaut Christina Hammock Koch; CSA President Lisa Campbell; NASA Astronaut Reid Wiseman and NASA astronaut Victor Glover; Sen. Shaheen, and NASA Administrator Bill Nelson

Sen. Moran speaks with Wiseman

“The Artemis II crew represents the next step in cementing America’s leadership in space exploration, while inspiring the next generation of astronauts, engineers, and scientists,” said Sen. Moran. “This week, Sen. Shaheen and I had the honor of welcoming the crew, the NASA Administrator and leadership from the Canadian Space Agency to the United States Senate. The Artemis missions will further scientific discovery, create new economic benefits and deepen our alliances across the globe.”

“As the Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee that funds NASA, it is an honor to host the Artemis II astronauts this week,” said Sen. Shaheen. “I believe that setting and achieving ambitious targets as we return to the Moon and prepare to send humans to Mars is critical. We cannot take our continued U.S. leadership in space for granted when our global competitors, including China, are investing heavily in scientific and technological innovation. Ranking Member Moran and I have, on a bipartisan basis, fought to ensure that NASA has the resources to keep the Artemis missions on track. These missions demonstrate continued American leadership in the final frontier and inspire the next generation of STEM leaders to look up and dream big.”

Artemis II will be the first crewed flight test of the Orion spacecraft launching on the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. The mission is currently scheduled for no earlier than November 2024. Artemis II will be a 10-day mission that will orbit the Moon, confirming all the spacecraft’s systems operate as designed with crew aboard in the actual environment of deep space in order to pave the way for future lunar surface missions, including Artemis III in late 2025.

As Ranking Member of the powerful Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, Sen. Moran crafts legislation that delivers resources to key federal programs and agencies, including NASA. In this role, Sen. Moran works to provide support for NASA’s Artemis program and prioritize STEM education to ensure a ready generation to carry on our nation’s space goals.

# # #

Source: United States Senator for Colorado Michael Bennet

Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper and Colorado U.S. Representative Joe Neguse introduced the Colorado Judgeship Act to add three district judges to the District Court of Colorado. The increase in judges responds to a need for additional support on Colorado’s district court bench as the state’s population increases. Colorado U.S. Representative Joe Neguse introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

“As Colorado grows, we need to help our courts administer a fair and efficient justice system. In addition to continuing to confirm eminently qualified judges, this legislation is another step to provide much-needed support to the District Court of Colorado,” said Bennet.

“Caseload backlogs shouldn’t stand in the way of justice. We need to expand the number of judges on Colorado’s district court so the bench is sufficient for our growing state,” said Hickenlooper.

“We must ensure that Colorado’s growing population has proper judicial representation, which means advocating for additional judges to be added to the state’s federal district court,” said Neguse.

With Colorado’s growing population, the District Court of Colorado’s caseload has reached the highest level since the Court started tracking this data. The Colorado Judgeship Act would allow the president to appoint three additional judges to Colorado’s district court to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. This would be the first increase in judges on Colorado’s district court since 1984.

Bennet and Hickenlooper have filled four vacancies on the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado and are working to fill a fifth vacancy. Since 2021, the senators recommended Regina Rodriguez, Charlotte Sweeney, Nina Wang, Gordon Gallagher, and Kato Crews to serve on the District Court. The Senate confirmed Judge Rodriguez in June 2021, Judge Sweeney in May, Judge Wang in August, and Judge Gallagher in March. Last week, Judge Crews advanced out of the Judiciary Committee and now awaits consideration by the full Senate.

The text of the bill is available HERE.

Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and nine Republican colleagues introduced the Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad International Terrorism Support Prevention Act to impose sanctions on foreign individuals, entities, and governments that provide support to Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and other Palestinian terrorist groups that just spent weeks launching more than 1,000 rockets at Israeli civilians in 2023. 

“Terrorist organizations threaten the existence of our greatest ally: the Jewish State of Israel,” said Dr. Cassidy. “We must hold those aiding terrorists accountable with stiff sanctions.” 

“As these terrorist groups continue to show no regard for the people of Israel, I’m proud to reintroduce this bill, which seeks to impose sanctions against foreign nationals and governments that are actively providing material support to these groups. We must hold accountable the individuals who are aiding Hamas terrorists and Palestinian Islamic Jihad,” said Senator Rubio.

Foreign entities have fueled extremist Palestinian groups and encouraged their hateful actions towards the Jewish state of Israel and its people. This bill would impose sanctions on foreign persons—or agencies of foreign states—that knowingly assist, sponsor, or provide significant support for the terrorist activities of Hamas or PIJ. Sanctions include asset freezes, denial of arms exports, denial of dual-use exports, prohibitions on major loans or financing from U.S. financial institutions, and denial of Export-Import Bank support.

Cassidy and Rubio were joined by U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Braun (R-IN), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Rick Scott (R-FL), John Hoeven (R-ND), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Steve Daines (R-MT) and Todd Young (R-IN) as original cosponsors.

###

Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and four Republican colleagues introduced the Combating BDS Act of 2023. The legislation would help state and local governments stand up to the anti-Israel boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement, which seeks to delegitimize the Jewish state of Israel by inflicting economic damage and starve it of commerce.  

“BDS is rooted in anti-Semitism and hatred of Israel,” said Dr. Cassidy. “In a time of increasing attacks against the Jewish people, we need to help state and local governments stand up to those who wish to wipe Israel from the map.”

“The BDS movement is the single most destructive campaign of economic warfare against the Jewish state of Israel. Amid a rising tide of anti-Semitism, we must stand in firm solidarity with our closest democratic ally in the Middle East. This bill, which previously passed the Senate, would mark an important step toward bringing an end to the movement’s discriminatory efforts,” said Senator Rubio.

 Israel’s opponents use BDS as a hateful weapon to delegitimize the Jewish State and its allies. At a time when anti-Israel boycotts are popping up around the globe, the United States, Israel and our allies need new ways to defend against the evolving threat of economic warfare. The bill would increase protections for state and local governments in the U.S. that divest from, prohibit investment in, or otherwise restrict contracting with firms that knowingly engage in commerce-related or investment-related BDS activity attacking Israel, as well as persons doing business in Israel or Israeli-controlled territories.

Cassidy and Rubio were joined by U.S. Senators Mike Braun (R-IN), Rick Scott (R-FL), Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and Steve Daines (R-MT) as original cosponsors. 

###

Source: United States Senator for Oklahoma James Lankford

---

---

Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan

---

---

Previous Article

Source: United States Senator for Kansas – Jerry Moran

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) introduced the Housing Supply Expansion Act, legislation that would address the shortage of affordable housing options by making targeted reforms to requirements under the Davis-Bacon Act, a 1930s-era labor law. These reforms would reduce labor costs and administrative burdens on residential construction contractors, which would free up capital that could be redirected toward building additional affordable housing.

“Purchasing a home is a part of the American dream that is currently out of reach for many families,” said Sen. Moran. “Reducing the burden of federal regulations will help homebuilders meet the demand for new homes, making homeownership a reality for more Kansans.”

“Affordable housing shortages directly affect prospective homebuyers and renters, but they also impact small businesses that are trying to overcome pressing workforce needs,” said Sen. Thune. “I continue to hear about this issue from folks across South Dakota, and I’m proud to lead this common-sense legislation that would reform archaic requirements in the Davis-Bacon Act, cut through its overly-burdensome red tape, and increase the supply of affordable housing.”

“NAHB commends Senators Thune and Moran for introducing this bill, which will help lower housing costs by streamlining and modernizing Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements,” said Alicia Huey, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders. “A recent Berkley study found that prevailing wage requirements raise construction costs by more than $30 per square foot. This means that current Davis-Bacon requirements are increasing construction costs by an at least $27,000 for an average 900 square foot apartment, which ultimately translates into higher rents. To solve the housing affordability crisis affecting our communities, Congress needs to look at all the factors driving up housing costs. The nation’s home builders strongly support this legislation.”

“The Mortgage Bankers Association commends Senators Thune and Moran for taking action to improve and encourage access to quality affordable housing,” said Bill Killmer, senior vice president of legislative and political affairs at the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). “The improper application of Davis-Bacon wage rates is an unnecessary barrier to the modernization and development of multifamily housing, and this bill will help reduce the administrative burden and complexity for residential housing projects. MBA will continue to advocate on behalf of policies that both ensure a healthy real estate market and provide consumers with sustainable housing choices.”

Enacted in 1931, the Davis-Bacon Act requires construction contractors involved in certain federally funded or federally assisted construction contracts, like those participating in various federal housing programs, to pay individuals working on the contract at least the prevailing wages of the vicinity in which the construction project is located. The Davis-Bacon Act – as it stands – can disincentivize the construction of affordable housing due to the high costs it places on construction contractors and the administrative burden that accompanies it. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) sets these prevailing wage rates by reviewing data submitted by construction contractors through voluntary surveys, which can be, at times, inaccurate or inconsistent. Last year, DOL initiated a rulemaking that would revise certain tenets of the Davis-Bacon Act. 

Full text of this legislation can be found HERE.

# # #

Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Bob Menendez

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) joined colleagues in introducing the AM for Every Vehicle Act, bipartisan and bicameral legislation that would direct federal regulators, including the Secretary of Transportation, to issue a rule requiring automobiles manufactured or imported into the United States include devices, installed as standard equipment, that can receive signals and play content transmitted by AM broadcast stations.

“This bipartisan, bicameral legislation will protect consumers and promote public safety by ensuring that AM radio is available in all vehicles manufactured in or imported to the United States, including electric vehicles, at no extra cost,” said Sen. Menendez. “In addition to news and entertainment content, AM radio is one of the most reliable ways to share life-saving information during public safety emergencies.  Making the critically important shift to electric vehicles to protect our environment does not need to come at the cost of access to critical information.”

Specifically, the AM for Every Vehicle Act would:

1. Direct the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to issue a rule that requires automakers to maintain AM broadcast radio in their vehicles without a separate or additional payment, fee, or surcharge;
2. Require any automaker that sells vehicles without access to AM broadcast radio before the effective date of the NHTSA regulation to clearly disclose to consumers that the vehicle lacks access to AM broadcast radio; and
3. Direct the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study whether alternative communication systems could fully replicate the reach and effectiveness of AM broadcast radio for alerting the public to emergencies.

In the Senate, the legislation is cosponsored by Sens. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.). In the House of Representatives, Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.-05), Tom Kean, Jr. (R-N.J.-07), Rob Menendez (D-N.J.-08), Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.-04), and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.-03) cosponsored the legislation.

“I would think that if Elon Musk has enough money to buy Twitter and send rockets to space, he can afford to include AM radio in his Teslas. Instead, Elon Musk and Tesla and other car manufacturers are putting public safety and emergency response at risk,” said Rep. Gottheimer. “The importance of AM radio during large-scale emergencies cannot be underestimated, and it has, without a doubt and without interruption, saved lives and kept our communities informed. When the cell phone runs out, the internet gets cut off, or the television doesn’t work because of no electricity or power to your house, you can still turn on your AM radio. I’m proud to introduce the bipartisan AM for Every Vehicle Act in the House to ensure that all auto manufacturers include AM radio in their vehicles to protect public safety.”

“As more and more Americans adopt electric vehicles, we must ensure that they are equipped with AM radio,” said Rep. Menendez. “AM radio is – and will remain – an essential communications channel for emergency alerts and for disseminating news and other important information to residents of our district and communities across our country. I am proud to co-lead this bipartisan legislation which would ensure that EVs continue to be equipped with this basic but critical capability.”

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Commissioner Nathan Simington endorsed the bill.

“There is a clear public safety imperative here. Having AM radio available in our cars means we always have access to emergency alerts and key warnings while we are out on the road. Updating transportation should not mean sacrificing access to what can be life-saving information,” said Jessica Rosenworcel, Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission.  “We stand ready to provide any necessary support and expertise to the Department of Transportation and Government Accountability Office as they may need.”

“As I mentioned in my speech to the NAFB last November, ‘[t]he Commission should not be shy about asking auto manufacturers to serve the public interest by continuing to serve AM radio listeners[.]’ And, as I indicated in my statement earlier this year supporting former FEMA heads in their letter to the Department of Transportation regarding AM radio in vehicles, ‘I believe that the FCC should make clear the vital importance of AM radio. . . . The public safety community and the American public rely on AM radio. Auto manufacturers now, and increasingly in the future will, rely on spectrum. Care should be taken to weigh the velocity of innovations against the stability of institutions. The Commission can, and must, play a role in striking that balance.’ I welcome any effort from Congress to secure the future of AM radio for the enduring benefit of the American people, and I invite my colleagues on the Commission and across the whole of government to raise their voices in support of this vital mission,” said Nathan Simington, Commissioner of the FCC.

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), New Jersey Broadcasters Association, and National Association of Farm Broadcasters endorsed the AM for Every Vehicle Act.

“NAB commends Senators Markey, Cruz, Baldwin, Fischer, Luján, Vance and Menendez, and Representatives Gottheimer, Westerman, Kean, Menendez and Gluesenkamp Perez, for their leadership in advocating for AM radio listeners. This legislation ensures that the tens of millions of Americans who depend on AM radio for news, entertainment and critical safety information each month can continue to have access to this reliable communications medium. As the backbone of the Emergency Alert System, AM radio is instrumental in promptly disseminating vital information across all mediums during crises, ensuring that communities remain safe and well informed. America’s local broadcasters applaud the bill’s authors and supporters for recognizing AM’s critical role in our nation’s public safety infrastructure,” said Curtis LeGeyt, President and CEO of National Association of Broadcasters.

“The New Jersey Broadcasters Association and our 39 AM stations applaud Senator Menendez for his original co-sponsorship of the ‘AM for Every Vehicle Act.’  In a time of data caps and subscription services, free over-the-air radio continues to serve diverse, local communities throughout New Jersey and the United States with great music and entertainment, timely news, weather, and traffic, and most importantly, critical emergency alerts and information.  We urge quick passage of S.1669 thereby ensuring AM radio continues to reach all of New Jersey for years to come,” said Jordan Walton, Executive Director of the New Jersey Broadcasters Association.

For a copy of the bill text click HERE.

###

Source: United States Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss)

MISS. SENATORS COSPONSOR BILL TO REFORM HUD DISASTER RECOVERY PROGRAMS

Bipartisan Legislation Would Improve Long-Term Housing, Community Development for Disaster-Struck Areas

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) on Thursday helped introduce bipartisan legislation to create a disaster assistance fund to help communities plan for and recover from major disasters.

The Reforming Disaster Recovery Act (S.1686) would strengthen the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) disaster recovery grants for states, local governments, and tribes, and establish an office within HUD devoted to disaster recovery and community resilience.

“Mississippians understand that rapid disaster response helps communities bounce back from natural disaster more quickly,” said Wicker.  “This legislation would expedite aid distribution at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, ensuring families can rebuild as soon as possible after disaster strikes.”

“Mississippians certainly understand the long haul required to recover from disasters, which is something we’re working to do now after the March tornadoes.  We also know that federal assistance can be improved, which is what we would be doing by authorizing and funding the CDBG Disaster Recovery Program,” said Hyde-Smith, who addressed CDBG-DR shortcomings at a hearing in April.

U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) introduced S.1686, which is also cosponsored by U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.).

The bill addresses long-standing recommendations from the HUD Office of the Inspector General and Government Accountability Office to establish a permanent and predictable process to provide disaster assistance for housing and community development.

The bill would accelerate assistance to disaster-impacted communities by:

• Creating a disaster recovery fund to allow HUD to predictably assist communities;
• Authorizing HUD to issue regulations to codify program requirements and reduce unnecessary red tape, delays, and unpredictability that stems from the current process;
• Supporting resilience as a part of – rather than separate from – disaster recovery;
• Authorizing “quick release” funds to support grantee capacity right after an event; 
• Improving federal coordination by establishing an office at HUD devoted to disaster recovery and resilience; and
• Reducing unnecessary administrative burdens and interagency requirement conflicts.

More than 40 organizations support this legislation, including BPC Action, Council of State Community Development Agencies, Enterprise Community Partners, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, National Community Development Association, and National Low Income Housing Coalition. 

###