Post-Disaster Assistance Online Accountability Act

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 259. This bill, introduced by Resident Commissioner Gonzalez-Colon and Delegate Plaskett would create a new online system for tracking Federal disaster projects and assistance.

People should know how and where their disaster funds are being spent without wading through reams of governmental paperwork. This legislation simplifies the data collection process for Federal disaster recovery projects.

To increase transparency, the bill also creates a page on USASpending.gov where everyone can track agency disaster recovery activities and the amount of assistance expended by an agency on a quarterly basis.

Federal agencies need to be accountable to the victims of disasters and allow them peace of mind when they are at their most vulnerable.

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Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I am prepared to close.

Mr. Speaker, the House passed this bipartisan bill on suspension as well in the past two Congresses. I look forward to passing this commonsense transparency measure again today.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support it, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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