Media Contact:  Patrick Wright   --  Patrick.Wright@mail.house.gov

Washington, D.C. — Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr.’s bill to require the U.S. Government Accountability Office to conduct a study on disaster spending and how to reduce the preparation time and need for spending related to emergencies passed the U.S. House of Representatives today.  The bill, the Federal Disaster Relief Modernization Act (H.R. 7969) passed as part of the Wildlife Response and Drought Resiliency Act (H.R. 5118), a bill that contains several provisions to improve America’s natural disaster response and management.  In addition, the Wildlife Response bill establishes new pay and hiring standards for federal wildland firefighters, authorizes a 10-year National Wildlife Response Plan to protect the nation’s wildlife, and provides $500 million to preserve and protect the water reservoirs of the Colorado River.    

“With the number of natural disasters increasing due to climate change, I think it is time for our country to study whether there are faster and more effective ways of handling them,” said Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr.  “I introduced the Federal Disaster Relief Modernization Act to provide the resources necessary to review our natural disaster policies and procedures.  We must find new ways to save lives and reduce the destruction from forest fires and other natural disasters.  I am proud that my House colleagues approved my bill as part of this wildlife and drought resiliency bill and I hope the Senate passes it soon.”

Original source can be found here.