Disaster Response and Preparedness
Our community has fought countless disasters together from droughts to wildfires and a global pandemic. In Congress, I am working to ensure that we have all the resources we need to both prevent and recover from disasters.
Wildfire Action:
The wildfires we’ve experienced are some of the largest our state has ever seen, but Californians have learned through experience just what it takes to make it through these disasters. After several years working with wildfire survivors, I know how complicated and daunting the recovery process can be. That’s why I’ve developed a Wildfire Resource Guide. I want to ensure you have the information and resources you need to safely navigate these fires in the face of a deadly pandemic. [Link to guide]
It’s also vital that the government takes every step possible to support wildfire survivors, mitigate damage, and increase wildfire resiliency in our communities – something upon which I’m continuously working to build. That’s why I’ve introduced the Wildfire Defense Act. This bill will empower communities to implement science-based methods for mitigating wildfire damage and provide funding to design and implement new Community Wildfire Defense Plans with community members, first responders, and relevant state agencies.
One of the most immediate steps I can take as a member of Congress is to advocate for disaster support from FEMA – something I have done time and again as our community experiences year after year of wildfires. I also joined Senator Alex Padilla in introducing two bills to redesign the federal government’s response to wildfires and provide additional resources to ensure equity for communities experiencing natural disasters.
On top of relief from FEMA, there is a whole host of legislative action we are working on in Congress to prepare for and mitigate the threat of wildfires. In July of 2022, the House passed the Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act – a comprehensive package to provide much-needed investments for improving fire-adapted ecosystems, protecting communities, expanding and modernizing science and technology, and ensuring a whole-of-government approach to wildfires and drought issues.
Drought Prevention and Action:
Communities, economies, and ecosystems across America are facing increasingly stressed water resources, but working together, we have an opportunity to develop more resilient water infrastructure, meet the challenge of planning for drought and climate change, and invest in watershed health to benefit fish, wildlife, and downstream communities. Federal water policy does not need to be a zero-sum game, and it doesn’t need to be conducted in secret: instead, we can build on the best ideas from everyone to secure a better water future and a healthier, more sustainable economy.
A key pillar of the Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency package that passed the House is my FUTURE Drought Resiliency Act, which invests in surface and groundwater storage, water recycling, desalination, and efficiency and conservation. It also improves drought planning and habitat restoration programs to ensure that natural systems are better prepared for a changing climate. The bill incorporates several policy ideas to build resilient water infrastructure, expand the use of modern water management tools and technologies, and assist disadvantaged areas in meeting their drinking water needs. It also includes policies to help homeowners make their homes more water-efficient, improve water data collection, and train jobseekers for careers in the water industry.
Over the past few years, the Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Subcommittee that I have led has held several hearings to inform the development of sustainable water policy, including hearings on desalination and drought resilience, water recycling and reuse and improved water management for rural communities, western water infrastructure and innovation, and the projected impact that climate change will have on shrinking snowpack, reduced precipitation, and warming temperatures. I’ll keep making sure these issues are at the forefront of our work.
Pandemic Response:
As COVID-19 rose to the national stage in early March 2020, I joined my colleagues in quickly passing an $8.3 billion emergency funding bill to help state and local health agencies conduct public health activities, including monitoring, testing, infection control, contact tracing, and mitigation. Since then, we have gone on to pass three more lifesaving packages – the Families First Act, the CARES Act, and the American Rescue Plan – along with additional funds in yearly spending bills. For the latest on COVID-19, visit our dedicated page here.
I know more is needed to ensure the country can safely and confidently move forward from this virus, and any new diseases we might be up against. My Democratic colleagues and I will keep working to build up the U.S.’s pandemic response to ensure we can all lead safe, healthy lives.
Latest
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May 16, 2024
Huffman Announces $18.75 Million for North Coast Fire Defense and Resilience
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April 25, 2024
Huffman, Thompson Host Press Conference Addressing California Insurance Crisis
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March 31, 2023
Huffman Announces Over $8.5 Million Headed to North Coast for Fire Defense and Resilience
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January 09, 2023
Huffman, Thompson, LaMalfa, McClintock Reintroduce Legislation to Make PG&E Fire Victims Trust Settlements Nontaxable
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December 23, 2022
Huffman Votes to Pass Funding Bill
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November 17, 2022
FIRE Act Sponsors Celebrate House Passage of Their Legislation to Improve Federal Wildfire Disaster Response
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August 10, 2022
HUFFMAN, THOMPSON ANNOUNCE $2.6 MILLION GRANT FOR SONOMA COUNTY FIRE SUPPORT MEASURES
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July 29, 2022
Huffman Water Infrastructure Proposal Passes in Wildfire and Drought Resiliency Package
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May 31, 2022
Huffman, Padilla Introduce Bill to Protect Californians from Post-Wildfire Threats
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March 15, 2022
Huffman, Thompson Announce More Than $3 Million for Wildfire Mitigation in Sonoma County
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January 21, 2022
Huffman Joins Bipartisan Effort to Help Fire Victims with the IRS
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August 26, 2021
Congressman Huffman Releases 2021 Wildfire Guide, Highlights Programs to Support Fire Preparedness and Response
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August 23, 2021
Rep. Huffman Requests Major Disaster Declaration Following Wildfires
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June 30, 2021
Huffman, Thompson Applaud $37 Million in Federal Funding Awarded to Sonoma County to Improve Local Fire Resilience
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May 12, 2021
Huffman Highlights Upcoming State and Local Recovery Funds from the American Rescue Plan for CA’s Second Congressional District
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April 21, 2021
Huffman Statement on Mendocino, Sonoma State of Emergency Declaration
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February 24, 2021
Klobuchar, Burr Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation To Improve Emergency Response Communications Networks During Natural Disasters
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September 10, 2020
California Members of Congress Issue Joint Statement on Wireless Carriers’ Unconscionable Challenge to CPUC’s 72-Hour Backup Power Safeguards
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August 22, 2020
Reps. Huffman, Thompson, Garamendi Announce FEMA Approval of Individual Assistance and Public Assistance Funds
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August 21, 2020
Huffman, Thompson, Eshoo, Garamendi, LaMalfa, Panetta and 26 California Members Request Wildfire Disaster Declaration
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June 11, 2020
*ICYMI* Rep. Huffman Joins Telephone Town Hall to Engage with Aging Americans on COVID-19 Federal Response
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June 11, 2020
Huffman, Thompson, Eshoo, Lofgren, Matsui, Bera, LaMalfa, Swalwell, DeSaulnier, Khanna, Panetta Introduce Utility Resilience and Reliability Act
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May 20, 2020
House Democrats Push for Millions of Restoration and Resilience Jobs
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February 26, 2020
Huffman Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Stop FEMA Clawbacks of Assistance and Prevent Disaster Revictimization
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February 20, 2020
Huffman, Matsui, Eshoo, Thompson Introduce Bill to Improve Emergency Response Communications Networks
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January 10, 2020
Rep. Huffman Unveils Comprehensive Water Resiliency Discussion Draft, Requests Public Input
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January 10, 2020
Reps. Huffman, Thompson, California Colleagues Demand FEMA Change Course in Wildfire Claim
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January 08, 2020
Rep. Huffman, Rep. Palazzo Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve Federal Fisheries Disaster Relief Program
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November 15, 2019
Rep. Huffman Introduces Bill to Help Communities Prepare for Wildfire Threats
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October 28, 2019
ICE Officers Announce Immigration Enforcement Suspensions During California Wildfires
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July 18, 2019
Rep. Huffman Helps Introduce Bill to Strengthen Wireless Networks to Withstand Wildfires and Disasters
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May 10, 2019
House Approves Huffman Amendment to Protect Post-Disaster Emergency Construction Projects
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April 29, 2019
Reps. Huffman & Speier Announce Long-Awaited Allocation of Federal Disaster Support to California Fishing Communities
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April 18, 2019
Rep. Huffman, Bipartisan CA Lawmakers to President Trump: Declare a Major Disaster Declaration for Flooding Damage
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April 17, 2019
Rep. Huffman Announces New Funding for Disaster Relief in Mendocino County
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April 15, 2019
Rep. Huffman Statement on California’s Request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Flooding Damage
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August 07, 2018
Reps. Huffman, Thompson, Garamendi lead 24 California Members of Congress Seeking Federal Wildfire Disaster Declaration
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April 11, 2018
Reps. Huffman & Thompson Announce $212 Million For Disaster Relief for California
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March 20, 2018
Rep. Huffman Welcomes Sonoma County Supervisor Susan Gorin to Testify in T&I Subcommittee on Wildfire Impacts & Recovery
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February 09, 2018
Rep. Huffman Votes for Bipartisan Budget Deal to Fund Wildfire & Fishery Disaster Relief; Demands that Speaker Ryan Keep Promise and Allow DACA Vote
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November 17, 2017
Reps. Huffman & Thompson Condemn Administration’s Supplemental Disaster Funding Request
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October 31, 2017
Reps. Huffman & Thompson Offer a Better Way to Equip Communities for Future Wildfires
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October 26, 2017
Rep. Huffman Seeks Assurance from FEMA: Eligible Fire Victims Should Be Able to Seek Aid Without Fear of Immigration Targeting
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October 13, 2017
Rep. Huffman Announces Suspension of ICE Enforcements; Urges All Sonoma and Mendocino Residents to Follow Evacuation Orders & Safety Recommendations
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October 11, 2017
Rep. Huffman Statement on Latest Fire News
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May 03, 2017
Reps. Huffman & Speier Introduce Bills to Aid Struggling Fishermen; Urge Gov. Brown to Declare 2017 Disaster
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July 15, 2015
House Democrats Call Out GOP on Drought’s Economic Impact after Amendments are Excluded from Valadao Bill
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July 08, 2015
After Unprecedented Public Input, Rep. Jared Huffman Introduces Final “Crowdsourced” Drought Response Legislation
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June 17, 2015
Rep. Jared Huffman Unveils Drought Response Legislation, Calls for Public Input
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July 23, 2014
Reps. Huffman, Peters, California Democrats Call for Congressional Action on Wildfires
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July 11, 2014
Huffman Offers Amendment to Provide Relief from Record California Drought, Reduce Funding for Nuclear Power Research
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March 13, 2014
Huffman, Napolitano, DeFazio, Western Democrats Introduce Western Drought Relief Bill