Public and Federally Assisted Housing Fire Safety Act of 2022

Floor Speech

On January 5, a fire broke out in an apartment building in Philadelphia, a terrible tragedy that took the lives of 12 people, including 9 children.

Even though the building was operated by the Philadelphia Housing Authority, not one of the battery-powered smoke detectors was operational that morning, so residents had no warning as the fire grew out of control.

While HUD already has regulations in place to ensure that federally assisted units install functioning smoke detectors, after a heartbreaking event like this, Congress has a responsibility to ensure that the rules are updated to prevent future tragedies.

H.R. 7981 would require Public Housing Authorities and property owners within HUD's programs to install smoke alarms that are tamper- resistant and hardwired, or use long-term, 10-year batteries.

Making sure that we have modern, up-to-date safety code devices like smoke alarms in all our federally assisted housing units is fundamental when it comes to trying to protect the lives of our residents.

H.R. 7981 will create safer homes for HUD's residents.

I congratulate Ms. Dean for her tremendous work on this, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source