Fema Caseworker Accountability Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, H.R. 5343, the FEMA Caseworker Accountability Act, requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency to examine their case management turnover rates and the average length of employment for employees detailed to disaster response cases.

The goal of H.R. 5343 is to reduce the turnover rates for FEMA employees who have been detailed to disaster recovery.

Consistent turnover only hurts disaster victims as it can prolong the recovery process, especially for small rural communities.

Madam Speaker, I urge support of this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Rice).

Mr. RICE of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 5343, the FEMA Caseworker Accountability Act.

South Carolina's Seventh District is still recuperating from disaster after disaster. We experienced four flooding events in 8 years.

Over the years, I have learned some tough lessons. We have continuously heard and seen how case management staff turnover rates at FEMA have extended the process for our communities to receive the assistance they need after a disaster.

Sometimes it takes 4 or 5 years for FEMA to get people back in their homes, and it is far too long because, unfortunately, the people who are disproportionately affected by these disasters are people of low income and minorities. They lose everything that they had, what little they had, and they can't wait for 5 years for the government to respond.

I have heard complaints from disaster victims to local officials about the lack of coordination due to the high turnover rates at FEMA. This disorganization causes significant delays in processing claims and reimbursement of essential funds.

This bill will increase the transparency at FEMA following a disaster by requiring a report on their employees' turnover rate. It also requires a report to include the average length of employment for staff who are assigned to work on disaster recoveries.

FEMA must be held accountable to our communities and our taxpayers who rely on them following a disaster.

I thank Representative Mace and Resident Commissioner Gonzalez-Colon for their support on this legislation.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill.

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Mr. WEBSTER of Florida. Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, this bill will assist FEMA by providing data to reduce turnover and provide more consistency for communities recovering from disasters.

Madam Speaker, I support this legislation, and I urge others to do the same.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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