Bresnahan Introduces Legislation to Study the Benefits of FEMA Mitigation Efforts
WASHINGTON, DC: On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, U.S. Representatives Rob Bresnahan, Jr. (PA-08) and John Garamendi (CA-08) formally introduced H.R. 4426, the Studying Mitigation and Reporting Transparently (SMART) Act. This bipartisan legislation would require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to study and report on the cost-benefit of their mitigation activities.
“Investing in disaster mitigation saves lives and taxpayer dollars,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “By studying the cost-benefit of FEMA’s mitigation programs, we are bringing greater transparency and accountability to FEMA and ensuring we see a real return on these investments. A comprehensive analysis will help us make smarter, more resilient decisions as we prepare for future disasters.”
“FEMA’s critical natural disaster mitigation work helps protect communities from disasters before they happen and saves taxpayers' dollars. It remains one of the most cost-effective tools in our toolkit,” said Rep. Garamendi. “I'm honored to join Congressman Bresnahan in introducing the SMART Act to authorize studies that will help us better understand how FEMA’s work continues to save lives, homes, and taxpayer dollars.”
Pennsylvania’s Eighth Congressional District is not immune to natural emergencies and natural disasters. Northeastern Pennsylvania has seen several floods over the past several decades, most notably in 1972 from Hurricane Agnes, when tens of thousands of homes and businesses suffered damage. More recently, in 2011, Tropical Storm Lee flooded the district with more than 10 inches of rain in two days, evacuating people from their homes and small businesses from their storefronts. Two years ago, on September 9, 2023, severe flooding in Lackawanna County caused more than $10 million in damages and claimed at least one life. The extensive damage seen during these incidents took years to fix and restore.
As a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Rep. Bresnahan serves on the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
The SMART Act will ensure FEMA is adequately studying and reporting the effects of their pre-disaster mitigation efforts. You can read the full text of the legislation here.
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