Post-Disaster Assistance Online Accountability Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. EZELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on my bill, H.R. 153, the Post-Disaster Assistance Online Accountability Act, which aims to improve transparency in the Federal disaster assistance process.

When disaster strikes, the priority is to save lives and to help communities recover. However, in doing so, one of the biggest challenges in the aftermath of a disaster is ensuring that aid is distributed fairly and timely to those who need it most.

Transparency builds trust in government. Without clear information, communities may feel left in the dark about how aid is being allocated. This is where the Post-Disaster Assistance Online Accountability Act comes in.

This bill requires FEMA to publicly share key information about the damage caused by disasters and how assistance is being distributed. It ensures the public can track recovery efforts in real time and understand how resources are being allocated. This helps communities, local governments, and organizations involved in recovery make more informed decisions.

The bill also mandates that FEMA provide detailed, easy-to-access data, such as the extent of the damage, the areas affected, and the estimated cost of recovery.

Ultimately, this bill holds FEMA and the government accountable to the American people. By strengthening trust, H.R. 153 is a vital step toward building a more transparent, responsive disaster recovery system.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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