U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan, Jr. (PA-08) has introduced the Save BRIC Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at ensuring continued funding for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This initiative is designed to assist states in preparing for natural disasters.
Bresnahan, along with Representative Greg Stanton (AZ-04), seeks to protect this program from being eliminated. “The BRIC program is a hand-up, not a hand-out, to at-risk communities who have suffered catastrophic weather events,” stated Rep. Bresnahan. He emphasized the importance of providing infrastructure assistance and pre-disaster support to communities that cannot bear these costs alone.
Recently, acting Administrator Cameron Hamilton indicated in an agency memo that $750 million planned for BRIC grants this year would not be allocated. This decision impacts cities like Scranton, PA, which was expecting funds for floodplain restoration following flash floods on September 9, 2023. Without BRIC’s support, Scranton must find an additional $2.5 million to proceed with necessary safety measures.
Rep. Stanton expressed concern over the potential defunding of this grant program: “Defunding this common-sense, bipartisan grant program puts lives, property, and public safety at unnecessary risk.” He noted that Arizona communities rely on these funds as a long-term investment in resilience.
The BRIC program assists various government levels and Tribal Nations in reducing hazard risks while promoting innovation and partnership growth. Research indicates that every dollar invested in pre-disaster mitigation can save up to $13 in recovery costs.
Authorized by President Trump in 2018, the BRIC program continues to be a critical resource for building community resilience against natural disasters.
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