FEMA has reopened applications for its $1 billion Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, less than three weeks after a federal judge ordered the agency to restore the funding. The program, which was canceled last year by FEMA under former acting leader Cameron Hamilton, aims to help states, local governments, territories, and tribes prepare for natural hazards such as fires, floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes.
Key Takeaways
FEMA has reopened applications for its $1 billion Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program after a federal judge ordered its restoration following cancellation last year. The program aims to help states and local governments prepare for natural disasters. Key takeaways: - FEMA resumes BRIC program with $1B in funding, covering fiscal years 2024-2025. - Federal judge ruled the program's cancellation unlawful after a coalition of Democratic-led states sued. - New rules prioritize major infrastructure projects and cap individual recipient funding. - Critics argue new rules may disadvantage smaller communities with fewer resources.
According to PBS News and CBS News, U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns ruled in December that the Trump administration had unlawfully terminated the program. This month, Stearns ordered FEMA to take more steps toward restoring it. The resumption of the BRIC program comes after significant criticism from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, who argued that the cancellation halted roughly $3.6 billion worth of projects across the U.S.
While the resumed funding restores access to badly needed assistance for some areas, FEMA has imposed new rules that align with the Trump administration's attempt to push more responsibility for disaster management onto states. These rules include ceasing funding for hazard mitigation planning and non-financial direct technical assistance, which could impact smaller communities with fewer resources and expertise.
Rep. Rick Larsen, a Democrat from Washington and ranking member on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, criticized the delay in BRIC's cancellation, stating that it slowed states' ability to prepare for disasters. Meanwhile, former FEMA officials, lawmakers, and disaster survivors have expressed cautious hope that newly sworn-in Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin could bring more stability to the agency after Kristi Noem's tumultuous tenure.
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