CUTS TO FEMA BRIC GRANTS

On 2025-04-30, Representative Sarah Elfreth (D-MD-3) delivered a floor speech titled "CUTS TO FEMA BRIC GRANTS" in the House.

CUTS TO FEMA BRIC GRANTS

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 72 (Wednesday, April 30, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 72 (Wednesday, April 30, 2025)] [House] [Page H1741] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CUTS TO FEMA BRIC GRANTS (Ms. ELFRETH asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.) Ms. ELFRETH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call attention to this administration's devastating cuts to FEMA's BRIC program, otherwise known as the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grants. Towns like Crisfield in Maryland, Baltimore, and dozens of communities across this Nation, rely on this funding to ward off the very real and very devastating effects of flooding. Not only do these programs save lives, but it is also one of the best investments that this Federal Government can make in this country, matching State and local funding. These projects in the long-term save $6 for every $1 in upfront spending. Yet, on this Earth Day, and just before we are about to enter hurricane season, instead of protecting our communities from sea level rise, the Trump administration ended this program. When we talk about government cuts to environmental programs, I will caution that rising seas don't care who is in the White House. The water doesn't care how a small town that experiences 90 days of flooding or more a year voted in the last election. Flooding will continue to devastate communities, even if the President does not believe in climate change. That is why I will continue to fight for the reinstatement of these funds for Crisfield, for Maryland, and for every community affected by flooding across this country. ____________________