September 19, 2024

Warren, Cruz, Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve Federal Response for Major Disasters

Ensures funds are distributed regardless of state, county lines; expands definition of “major disaster” to account for cumulative damage

Text of Bill (PDF) | One-Pager (PDF)

Washington, D.C. – Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), alongside Representatives Brian Babin (R-Texas) and John Garamendi (D-Calif.), introduced the Regional Impact of Disasters and Emergencies Relief (RIDER) Act to improve the delivery of federal relief to disaster-struck communities. With the threat of natural disasters and emergencies growing in recent years, the bipartisan, bicameral bill would amend existing law to better address the on-the-ground experiences of communities affected by major disasters.

Specifically, the RIDER Act will:

  • Improve the distribution of disaster relief funds by allowing all communities directly affected by a major disaster to receive federal relief, regardless of county or state lines.

  • Enable the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to declare major disasters based on cumulative damage to a community over a 12-month period, addressing concerns that existing federal regulations do not sufficiently account for the impact of cumulative disasters on a region.

The RIDER Act would help communities in Massachusetts and across the country recover from major disasters and emergencies—especially as climate change increases the rate and scale of such crises. Representatives Babin and Garamendi first introduced a version of the bill last Congress.

“The growing climate crisis means natural disasters and emergencies are only going to become more common. Part of tackling the crisis head on is making sure we’re ready to deliver critical relief to impacted communities when they need it most — the RIDER Act does exactly that,” said Senator Warren.

“Texas is no stranger to natural disasters, and we must do more to ensure our communities can rebuild in times of need. That’s why I’m focused on enhancing the disaster declaration process, ensuring Texans—from small towns and rural areas—can access the resources needed to restore our homes, businesses, and livelihoods. I am proud to partner with Senator Warren and Congressman Babin to introduce bipartisan legislation to ensure no community is left behind in the wake of catastrophe,” said Senator Cruz.

"Natural disasters don’t care about county lines, and neither should FEMA’s disaster recovery efforts. Our bipartisan bill ensures communities recovering from natural disasters get the federal support they deserve, just like their neighbors in a declared disaster area. Congressman Babin and I introduced this commonsense reform in 2021, and I’m pleased to partner with Senators Warren and Cruz this year. As California continues to face devastating climate-fueled disasters, we need all the help we can get,” said Representative Garamendi.

“Too often after a natural disaster, we have seen impacted communities excluded from financial help because of technicalities or subjective standards,” said Congressman Babin. “In recent years, several communities in Southeast Texas were hit by major disasters but were excluded from any public or individual assistance – even though their property lines were mere yards away from where the federally declared disaster was issued. My goal with the RIDER Act is to ensure that whenever the government steps in after a major disaster declaration, impacted businesses and homes are not left out. Instead, we need to make sure they receive the relief and resources necessary to recover fully. This legislation is a much-needed solution to a problem we encounter nearly every year. Commonsense reforms like this, aimed at making it easier for people stuck in the challenge of navigating natural disasters, are crucial. I appreciate Rep. Garamendi and our partners in the Senate for joining us in pushing this important bill forward.”

State and local officials across Massachusetts expressed their support for the RIDER Act:

"The best time to prepare for a disaster is before one strikes," said State Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton). "I was proud to join Representative Natalie Blais to help lead Massachusetts to establish a state disaster relief fund to support communities across the Commonwealth as they respond to and rebuild from extreme weather events and other disasters. I am grateful to Senator Warren for leading on this important effort at the federal level."

“The Regional Impact of Disasters and Emergencies Relief Act would be very beneficial to Massachusetts, and especially to western Massachusetts, if passed into law. The unique position of our state being so close to several other states combined with the worsening weather-related events we have experienced in recent times leaves our area susceptible to damage crossing state lines. I applaud Senator Warren for the initiative to continue to fight for more resources coming into our Commonwealth,” said State Representative Daniel R. Carey, Second Hampshire District.

“The RIDER Act represents a vital modernization of our federal emergency assistance framework. Here in New England, we are all too familiar with the impacts of flooding after the devastating floods in Vermont and Massachusetts in 2023. As global temperatures continue to rise, we must prepare for severe weather events to occur with greater frequency. The RIDER Act will allow federal funds to be utilized across state lines, which is critical for a state like Massachusetts—small in size but densely populated and surrounded by five neighboring states. Importantly, it also empowers FEMA to address the cumulative impact of repeated, smaller disasters, such as recurring floods and storms, ensuring that our communities receive the support they need when hit by multiple smaller-scale disasters in a row. I’m incredibly grateful to Senator Warren for leading on this important piece of legislation that underscores her commitment to our communities,” said State Representative Lindsay N. Sabadosa, First Hampshire District.

"This legislation is a game changer and will provide a new pathway to getting FEMA funding to those communities who have been impacted by serious weather events, including Northern Berkshire County," said State Representative John Barrett III, First Berkshire District.

"With the increasing frequency of severe weather events and the subsequent strain on our aging infrastructure, it is imperative that we act decisively to support communities across the Commonwealth. The Regional Impact of Disasters and Emergencies Relief Act will provide essential financial relief to help both large cities and small towns recover and rebuild. By investing in natural disaster resilience now, we ensure that our state is better prepared for the challenges ahead and that no community is left behind,"  said State Representative Smitty Pignatelli, Third Berkshire District.

"With the unique struggles that rural districts like ours have faced as natural disasters have been increasing in both severity and frequency, it is promising to see a bipartisan effort to make support from FEMA more accessible," said State Senator Paul W. Mark (D-Becket). "This bill will truly help constituencies like ours all across the country who so often feel unseen and unheard, and will allow for the federal government to meet their respective communities where they are."

“Climate change is impacting the intensity of storms for Pittsfield and communities across the Commonwealth changing the way we have to respond as a municipality,” said Mayor Peter M. Marchetti. “This legislation will help communities effectively manage weather related disasters with additional support from the federal government,” said Pittsfield Mayor Peter M. Marchetti.

“The Regional Impact of Disasters and Emergencies Relief Act is important federal legislation that would eliminate red tape that can hinder local disaster recovery efforts and help communities recover more quickly. The legislation recognizes that major disasters do not recognize state or county lines, and federal assistance must be provided to the affected areas regardless of borders. With natural disasters on the rise and causing more damage than ever before, the legislation also would recognize that some areas experience debilitating cumulative effects from multiple events over the course of a year. The MMA is strongly supportive of the RIDER Act,” said Adam Chapdelaine, Executive Director & CEO, Massachusetts Municipal Association.

“As Mayors, we understand that disasters impact entire regions, not just individual cities. This bill is a vital advancement, enabling FEMA to deliver timely relief across county and state lines and recognizing cumulative damage. It ensures that all affected communities receive the support they need and strengthens our overall response and resilience,” said Easthampton Mayor Nicole LaChapelle.

“As the Mayor of Newburyport, we know well that natural disasters do not stop at state lines, and that recurring weather can be just as dangerous as one-time storms. This bill makes much needed changes to federal law that will help coastal communities like Newburyport as we continue to face increasing risks of natural disasters into the future,” said Newburyport Mayor Sean Reardon.

“I am very appreciative of Senator Elizabeth Warren advocating for cities like our Springfield with this federal disaster relief bill, the RIDER Act. We just went through applying for FEMA relief following a major storm/flooding that severely impacted our water main system, and we were unfortunately denied. This bill would enable a city like Springfield more flexibility in advocating for our needs following a disaster. We here in Springfield have unfortunately had our fair share of them, including the June 1, 2011 EF-3 tornado, the freak Nor’easter in October 2011, the natural gas explosion, the worldwide with the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic, and last year’s water main break due to storms. I will continue to go after any and all federal and state funding opportunities to support our resilient residents and business community in the wake of any disaster,” said Springfield Mayor Domenic J. Sarno.

“When disaster strikes, the last thing we want is for red tape to get in the way of providing relief. We’re grateful to Senator Warren for putting forth common sense legislation that makes it easier to get help to those in need,” said Woburn Mayor Michael Concannon.

“On behalf of the City of Attleboro, I am grateful for Senator Warren’s support of the Regional Impact of Disasters and Emergencies Relief (RIDER) Act. Increasingly unpredictable and severe weather patterns are causing millions of dollars in infrastructure and other damages in communities across the country. The RIDER Act will provide needed funds to help Attleboro be more resilient, better prepared, and more responsive to flooding and other extreme weather events,” said Attleboro Mayor Cathleen DeSimone.

“The Regional Impact of Disasters and Emergencies Relief Act introduced by Senator Warren and her Congressional colleagues is a refreshing example of common sense. Hurricanes, high water, and high winds don’t acknowledge city, county, or state lines. Emergency assistance should be provided according to need, not zip code,” said Holyoke Mayor Joshua A. Garcia.

“With municipal budgets tighter than ever, small cities like Melrose need to know that the federal government will have our back. We’re grateful to Senator Warren for her consistent and effective leadership on behalf of the cities and towns of Massachusetts,” said Melrose Mayor Jen Grigoraitis.

“I applaud Senator Warren’s leadership in recognizing that because extreme disasters do not recognize municipal, county or state boundaries, nor should financial relief to affected communities be restrained by those borders,” said Methuen Mayor Neil Perry.

 “In today's world, natural disasters don't stop at borders, and our relief efforts shouldn't either. The Regional Impact of Disasters and Emergencies Relief Act recognizes the broader impact of these events and provides communities like Chicopee with the support they need to rebuild, even when they fall just outside of a declared disaster zones. This is a forward-thinking step in ensuring no community is left without the resources to recover,” said Chicopee Mayor John Vieau.

Senator Warren has long led fights to ensure FEMA funding and support is equitably distributed and to ensure emergency relief programs meet the needs of Massachusetts communities: 

  • In July 2024, Senators Warren and Markey, Representative Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), and state and local officials announced $6 million for a flooding mitigation project in Leominster following damaging floods in September 2023.

  • In March 2024, Senator Warren and other Massachusetts lawmakers urged President Biden and FEMA to issue a major disaster declaration after catastrophic flooding impacted Bristol, Hampden, and Worcester counties.

  • In January 2024, at a hearing of the Senate Banking Committee, Senator Warren called for the Biden administration to swiftly finalize its data call about the effects of climate change on the insurance market—and to collect all the data necessary to understand our gaps in insurance coverage and the right regulatory response.

  • In October 2023, Senator Warren and Representatives Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) and Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.) reintroduced the Federal Emergency Management Advancement of 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.

  • In August 2023, following flooding in New England in July 2023, Senators Warren, Markey, Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) sent a letter to President Joe Biden, thanking his administration for its support for New England communities that suffered catastrophic flooding and requesting that President Biden continue to address the ongoing needs of these communities in any upcoming disaster supplemental appropriations request to Congress. 

  • In May 2023, at a hearing of the Senate Banking Committee, Senator Warren highlighted the need for FEMA to fix inequities and injustices in disaster management programs. 

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