Chairmen Graves, Perry Opening Statements from Hearing with Administrator Criswell on FEMA Disaster Readiness, Response & Recovery

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"Thank you, Chairman Perry, and thank you to Administrator Criswell for being here today.

On a bipartisan basis, the Committee and this subcommittee in particular, have worked to improve FEMA and the federal government's emergency management system. I am proud to again be one of the co-chairs of FEMA's National Preparedness Month to help educate the American people on what they can do to be prepared.

FEMA's role is critical. With recent flooding events and tornados in my district, it's important for FEMA to work quickly and closely with the State Emergency Management Agencies and local responders.

Last month, on August 4th, an EF-2 tornado ripped through the city of Baring in Knox County, Missouri. Governor Parson submitted a federal disaster declaration on September 6th, and I hope FEMA will work swiftly and efficiently to approve this declaration so the people of Missouri can continue to recover.

I also hope that many of the reforms we have passed in my time on the Committee will help remove unnecessary red tape and bureaucratic policies as we move through the recovery process.

I look forward to hearing from the Administrator today on this and other critical issues as we prepare for and respond to disasters across the Nation."

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