October 02, 2023

In the Wake of Recent Floods in Massachusetts, Senator Warren Joins Representative Thompson in Reintroducing FEMA Equity Act to Address Disparities in Federal Disaster Responses

Bill Text (PDF)

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), House Committee Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss.), and Rep. Delia C. Ramirez (D-IL), Vice Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, re-introduced the Federal Emergency Management Advancement of Equity Act (or FEMA Equity Act) to address systemic inequities in the federal government’s response to disasters and how it distributes assistance. The legislation follows a growing body of evidence and reporting that low-income disaster survivors and communities of color are less likely to receive crucial federal emergency assistance compared to higher-income counterparts.

The Biden Administration has prioritized addressing inequities in the federal disaster management programs, and last year, FEMA identified “instilling equity as a foundation of emergency management” as the first goal of its agency strategic plan. However, internal FEMA analysis shows that low-income homeowners that survived disasters were denied financial assistance almost twice as often as high-income homeowners and that FEMA-approved housing assistance to higher-income renters at a rate that was 23% higher than low-income renters. 

“For too long, frontline communities have been disproportionately impacted by the effects of natural disasters, and this injustice is exacerbated by relief distribution,” said Senator Warren. “In the wake of the recent floods in Massachusetts, it’s more important than ever that FEMA’s disaster response centers equity so our communities can access the recovery resources they need to get back on their feet and thrive.” 

“In March, my district was impacted by deadly tornadoes that left immense destruction. The importance of ensuring equity in disaster response is felt by my community daily and I know my community is not alone,” said Congressman Thompson. “That’s why I, along with colleagues, created the Congressional Disaster Equity and Building Resilience Caucus this May to promote the benefits of resilience and the need for equity in the country’s disaster preparedness and response infrastructure. The Federal government – and particularly FEMA – needs to prioritize disaster assistance equity to reduce barriers to recovery.  I applaud the Biden Administration’s ongoing efforts to make FEMA’s programs more equitable and accessible, however, Congress needs to do more to support these efforts. This legislation will ensure that all disaster survivors – no matter their zip code or background – are considered and supported before, during, and after disasters. I look forward to working on getting this legislation considered in the House.” 

“We recognize that disasters impact everyone and reveal deeply ingrained disparities and inequities that have persisted for generations. Racial and ethnic vulnerable communities with limited financial means and less access to resources bear the brunt of these disasters, primarily due to systemic and environmental injustices plaguing our society.  The FEMA Equity Act is crucial to rectifying this injustice,” said Congresswoman Ramirez. "As a Congressional Disaster Equity and Building Resilience Caucus member, I am honored to co-lead the Federal Emergency Management Advancement of Equity Act alongside the Committee on Homeland Security’s Ranking Member Representative Bennie G. Thompson and Senator Elizabeth Warren to standardize FEMA's approach and bring equity to the federal disaster response. This critical legislation addresses systemic inequities in disaster response and recovery, which have far-reaching impacts, including in Illinois' Third Congressional District and our great state.”

The FEMA Equity Act would:  

  1. Improve FEMA’s data collection systems to better identify inequities within Agency programs, including barriers to access and disparate outcomes;
  2. Direct FEMA to design and integrate criteria into all of their programs to increase equity, prioritizing programs that provide long-and short-term support for local governments, individual housing assistance, and mitigation funding to address disasters;
  3. Authorize in law FEMA’s Equity Enterprise Steering Group and the Equity Advisor to counsel the FEMA Administrator to increase equity across FEMA programs and policies; and
  4. Direct the Government Accountability Office to examine the factors FEMA considers when evaluating requests for a major disaster or emergency declaration.

This legislation is cosponsored by Senators Edward J. Markey, Cory Booker and Tammy Duckworth. In the House, this bill is sponsored by Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton, Nydia M. Velázquez, Sheila Jackson Lee, Al Green, Brian Higgins, Yvette D. Clarke, Donald M. Payne, Jr., Tony Cárdenas, Eric Swalwell, Dina Titus, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Troy A. Carter, Sr., Robert Garcia, Jared Moskowitz, Shri Thanedar, and Dan Goldman. 

Senator Warren is committed to fighting for equity in disaster relief and environmental justice, including: 

  1. In May 2023, Senator Warren, at a hearing of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, highlighted the need for FEMA to fix inequities and injustices in disaster management programs. Senator Warren pointed out that due to historical discrimination, people of color are more likely to live in homes and communities that are less resilient to natural disasters such as floods.
  2. In October 2022, Senator Warren led a letter with the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation to FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) Chair Michael Lee requesting help for local organizations to find the resources they need to support newly arrived migrants in Massachusetts. 
  3. In September 2022, Senator Warren joined Senator Gillibrand urging congressional leadership to provide emergency supplemental funding for disaster recovery and relief support as well as $1 billion in nutritional aid for Puerto Rico, and cosponsored the Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act.
  4. In September 2022, Senator Warren led a letter to President Biden asking for the federal government to cover the full cost of FEMA aid to Puerto Rico. President Biden heeded this request.
  5. In September 2022, Senator Warren joined a letter with Senator Menendez to President Biden supporting issuing a Major Disaster Declaration for Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Fiona. President Biden also heeded this request.
  6. In May 2022, Senator Warren (D-Mass.) and Rep. Thompson (D-Miss.), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, introduced the Federal Emergency Management Advancement of Equity Act (or FEMA Equity Act) to address systemic inequities in the Federal government’s response to disasters and how it distributes assistance.

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