Lafayette Reporter

Sens. John Kennedy (R-La.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) have come together to introduce the bipartisan Helping Eliminate Limitations for Prompt (HELP) Response and Recovery Act. This legislation aims to enhance the efficiency and promptness of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in responding to disasters and other emergencies.

One of the key provisions of the HELP Response and Recovery Act is the repeal of Section 695 of the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006. This particular section imposes a limit of 150 days on non-competitive DHS contracts for urgent and compelling requirements. By eliminating this outdated regulation, the legislation ensures that DHS deadlines for emergency contracts align with the current government-wide rules, allowing contracts of up to one year.

Sen. Kennedy, who represents Louisiana, a state familiar with natural disasters, emphasizes the importance of this legislation for his constituents. He states, "Louisiana is no stranger to natural disasters, and Louisianians depend on the local, state, and federal government for help when the unthinkable happens. Repealing an outdated portion of the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act that unnecessarily limits recovery efforts will allow the private sector and the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency to help our people more effectively for the long haul."

Sen. Peters, the Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, highlights the significance of equipping the federal government with the necessary tools to assist Americans in times of need. He asserts, "When emergencies and disasters strike, the federal government should have all the tools at its disposal to help Americans in need. This bipartisan bill will ensure DHS is efficiently and effectively responding to emergencies."

The National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) also commends the efforts of Senators Peters and Kennedy in simplifying DHS contracting requirements through the HELP Response and Recovery Act. Russ Strickland, NEMA President and Secretary of Maryland Department of Emergency Management, states, "This bill will modernize contracting requirements for DHS and FEMA and align them with the less restrictive requirements applied to all other government agencies. Especially when responding to disasters, speed is of the essence, so it is imperative to give FEMA the tools necessary to be efficient and responsive when needed most."

The HELP Response and Recovery Act is a significant step towards improving FEMA's emergency response capabilities. It addresses the need for modernizing contracting requirements and ensuring that FEMA has the flexibility and resources to act swiftly in times of crisis. By bipartisanly uniting around this legislation, Senators Kennedy and Peters demonstrate their commitment to serving the American people and safeguarding communities during times of emergencies.

To read the full text of the HELP Response and Recovery Act, please visit the official website.