WASHINGTON, DC (Hinton News) — The American Flood Coalition today announced that Senators Shelley Moore Capito (WV), Bill Cassidy (LA), Chris Coons (DE), Gary Peters (MI), Marco Rubio (FL), Tim Scott (SC), and Mark Warner (VA) have been recognized as the American Flood Coalition’s first Senate Federal Champions. The recognition aligns with the nonpartisan, national alliance dedicated to advancing solutions to stronger storms, rising seas, and more frequent flooding.
“I am thrilled to recognize this distinguished group of Senators for their transformative leadership on flooding issues in communities nationwide and throughout their states,” said Melissa Roberts, Executive Director of the American Flood Coalition. “Each Senator brings a unique professional background, record of committee service, and legislative acumen to the challenges and opportunities posed by flooding in their states. As the American Flood Coalition strives to help communities plan smarter, respond faster, and recover stronger to all forms of flooding, we are honored to count these tremendous leaders as allies in the United States Senate.”
“West Virginia is all too familiar with the devastation flooding can bring,” said Senator Capito. “That’s why when crafting the bipartisan Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act, we worked to ensure new infrastructure would be resilient to withstand the test of time and extreme weather events. As Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, I’ll continue working with federal partners to ensure states and localities have the resources they need to protect their communities against flooding. Through my work on the Homeland Security Appropriations subcommittee, I’m equally proud to be a consistent champion of FEMA. We have seen and needed their work in West Virginia far too often. I’m honored to be recognized by the American Flood Coalition and appreciate all their efforts on this issue.”
“Appreciate the American Flood Coalition recognizing my efforts to restore and protect Louisiana’s coastline,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Louisianans know the importance of a resilient coastline to protect families, businesses, and our way of life. Our work continues.”
“Thousands of properties in Southern Delaware are already at risk from chronic flooding in the near future, even if they’re miles from our coastline,” said Senator Coons. “With a bipartisan group of colleagues, I helped secure $47 billion for flood resilience and prevention in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and now I’m leading another bipartisan group of senators to pass the National Climate Adaptation and Resilience Strategy Act to ensure that the federal government engages all stakeholders — including the American Flood Coalition — to build more stronger communities. I’m looking ahead to further work to deliver bipartisan solutions on climate action that will protect land, water, wildlife and our most vulnerable communities.”
“We’ve seen first-hand in Michigan how extreme flooding has put homes and small businesses at risk, and caused millions of dollars in damages. That is why I have worked to help communities mitigate the effects of these natural disasters — including by securing $500 million for a program I created through the STORM Act that will give localities new opportunities to invest in resilient infrastructure like flood walls,” said Senator Peters, Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. “I’m grateful for this honor from the American Flood Coalition and will continue working across the aisle to address the threat posed by floods and other natural disasters to the lives and livelihood of Michiganders and all Americans.”
“Unfortunately, Floridians have experienced the dangers and destruction that flooding can cause,” said Senator Rubio. “Throughout my time in the Senate, we’ve taken important steps to help mitigate flood risks and ensure that Florida’s families and businesses are prepared. I will continue working on solutions to make Florida more resilient against hurricanes, flooding, and other extreme weather.”
“Having grown up along South Carolina’s coast, I am unfortunately all too familiar with the havoc that flooding wreaks on communities across the nation,” said Senator Scott. “Walking through the remains and aftermath of hurricanes here in the Palmetto State is always a sobering reminder of the importance of proper flood mitigation efforts and a well-functioning National Flood Insurance Program. Throughout my career, I’ve fought to advance legislation to strengthen the NFIP and help better prepare communities to safeguard their homes and businesses before disaster strikes. I’m honored to be recognized as an AFC Senate Federal Champion and will continue this important work to make communities more resilient to the ravages of flood damage.”
“I am honored to be recognized by the American Flood Coalition as one of the first bipartisan Senate Federal Champions,” said Senator Warner. “Investing in flood resilience is a critical component of safeguarding Virginia’s coastal communities and I have been proud to lead efforts to bring hundreds of millions of dollars of federal funding to the Commonwealth to support flood mitigation. These investments continue to help protect communities from costly damage, including military installations in Hampton Roads and other critical infrastructure.”
The group joins a bipartisan cohort of more than two dozen Federal Champions in the House of Representatives, as well as a coalition of over 300 members across 21 states.
Senators Capito, Cassidy, Coons, Peters, Rubio, Scott, and Warner serve diverse geographies ranging from bustling cities to rural farmland, coastal islands to inland rivers and lakeshores. What unites them, however, is a shared commitment to increasing resilience against flooding — no matter where it happens.
These Senators’ combined expertise in building flood-resilient infrastructure, investing in proactive flood preparedness at all levels, and leveraging technology and data to build communities for the future will inform and enhance the Coalition’s work.
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