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U.S. Government Affairs Committee

Committee Chair:

Robert C. Bohlmann, CEM

rcbohlmann@co.york.me.us
   

Committee Vice-Chair:

Randall C. Duncan, MPA, CEM

rduncan@sedgwick.gov
 

Committee Mission

Monitor proposed legislation at the federal, state and/or local level which may impact emergency management activities or the goals of the association, or may set a precedent for the future legal implications.

U.S. Government Affairs News

Robert C. Bohlmann, CEM, IAEM U.S. Governmental Affairs Committee Chair, Testified Apr. 30 before the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. House of Representatives, in support of reauthorization of FEMA’s Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program (04/30/08)The Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program provides assistance on a competitve basis to states and localities to perform hazard mitigation projects. The Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program sunsets on Sept. 30, 2008 unless reauthorized.

Hearing on "Saving Lives and Money Through the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program" (Apr. 30, 2008)


Robert C. Bohlmann, CEM, represented IAEM at the Apr. 30

hearing of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, on "Saving Lives and Money Through the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program."

Pictured L-R are Jim Mullen, Mitigation Chair, NEMA;

Brent Woodworth, Chair, Multihazard Mitigation Council; and

Bob Bohlmann, CEM U.S. Government Affairs Committee Chair, IAEM.

Bob Bohlmann, CEM U.S. Government Affairs Committee Chair,
IAEM, (left) with Subcommittee Chairwoman Eleanor Holmes Norton and Jim Mullen, Mitigation Chair, NEMA,

at the Apr. 30 hearing on the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program.

Complete Information From DHS About Fiscal Year 2008 Emergency Management Peformance Grants (EMPG) (03/25/08)

IAEM President Larry J. Gispert Testified Mar. 13 Before U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security (03/13/08) President Gispert's statement is posted, and additional witness statements will be posted as available. Mar. 13 photo gallery.

Photo Gallery: Photos taken during March 2008 visit with FEMA officials, NEMA 2008 Mid-Year Conference, and Hill visits made by IAEM leaders (03/12/08)

U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security FY 2009 Budget Provided to Congress (02/04/08)

IAEM Applauds the Revised National Response Framework (01/22/08) IAEM News Release | Photo Gallery: Press Conference

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today released the National Response Framework (NRF), successor to the National Response Plan. The NRF, which focuses on response and short-term recovery, articulates the doctrine, principles and architecture by which the United States prepares for and responds to all-hazard disasters across all levels of government and all sectors of communities. The NRF is being released following an extensive process of outreach and coordination between DHS and key stakeholders representing federal, tribal, state and local governments, non-governmental agencies and associations, and the private sector.

IAEM First Vice President Russ Decker, CEM, participated in the DHS roll-out of the revised National Response Framework at the National Press Club. Decker stated, "We are extremely pleased with the final National Response Framework (NRF) product. It is apparent that our counterparts in Washington were listening and genuinely interested in addressing the issues raised by local emergency managers. As result of the improved process, we believe the NRF is a document that local emergency managers will find very useful. This is the greatest compliment a local official can give a Federal document. We get many documents from Washington that go on a shelf, but this one will actually be used. We appreciated being included in the process and look forward to a continued dialogue on this and other issues."

DHS documents released at Jan. 22 press conference:

IAEM Polls U.S. Members on Uses of Emergency Management Performance Grants (01/03/07) EMPG has been underfunded for many years. In the past few years, the U.S. Congress has been very responsive to our efforts and that of our partners to increase this critical funding. The funding increased from $165 million in FY 2004 to $180 million in FY 2005. It remained at $180 million in FY 2006 and increased to $200 million in FY 2007 (plus a $50 million FY 2007 Supplemental) and increased to $300 million for FY 2008. As we prepare for the FY 2009 Appropriations effort, we need information from those of you who receive EMPG. We need more information on what you are able to accomplish because of this funding. Please download and complete the questionnaire, and e-mail it to MSBraddock@aol.com, RDuncan@sedgwick.gov, and Jessica.leifeld@NDSU.edu by 5:00 p.m. Eastern time, Mar. 5, 2008.

~ Download IAEM EMPG Questionnaire Here ~

Memorandum From IAEM Policy Advisor Martha Braddock With Update on FY 2008 Appropriations for U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security (12/18/07)

Update on FY 2008 Appropriations for Department of Homeland Security (12/17/07) The House will consider, as early as Monday night, an Omnibus bill including the 11 unfinished Appropriations bills for FY 2008. The vehicle is HR 2764, the Appropriations Bill for the Department of State and Foreign Operations.

We have posted the DHS section of the Omnibus, which is Division E:

Division G of FY 08 Omnibus bill, Appropriations for the Departmens of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies:

PL 110-53 Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (08/03/07)

IAEM Calls for Additional Work on the National Response Framework; Robert C. Bohlmann, CEM, Testifies on Readiness in the Post-Katrina and Post 9-11 World (09/11/07) IAEM has issued a news release urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to work with local and state emergency managers to fix the National Response Framework (NRF). “IAEM believes that the NRF should serve as the over-arching planning document that identifies the roles and responsibilities of all potential players and the methods by which resources are requested and delivered at all levels,” stated Robert C. Bohlmann, CEM, chairman of IAEM’s U.S. Governmental Affairs Committee. “It is not rocket science – and it does not have to be 800 pages long. The draft NRF that we have reviewed appears to be more like a public relations document rather than a response plan or framework.” Bohlmann testified on Sept. 11 before the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. House of Representatives, on "Readiness in the Post Katrina and Post 9.11 World: An Evaluation of the New National Response Framework."

IAEM press release

Robert C. Bohlmann, CEM, represented IAEM at the Sept. 11 hearing of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, on "Readiness in the Post Katrina and Post 9/11 World: An Evaluation of the New National Response Framework." Witnesses from left to right are: William L. Waugh, Jr., Ph.D., Professor of Public Administration, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University; Tim Manning, Chairman, Response and Recovery Committee, National Emergency Management Association, and Director, New Mexico Dept. of Homeland Security & Emergency Management; and Robert C. Bohlmann, CEM, IAEM U.S. Government Affairs Committee Chair, Emergency Management & Homeland Security Director for York County, Maine. Also on the panel was Paul N. Stockton, Senior Research Scholar, Center for International Security and Cooperation, Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Stanford University.

Testimony of all witnesses is provided below:

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Chair of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, is pictured with Robert C. Bohlmann, CEM, at the Sept. 11 hearing on "Readiness in the Post Katrina and Post 9/11 World: An Evaluation of the New National Response Framework."

President Bush Signs Bill Implementing Recommendations of 9/11 Commission (08/03/07) President George W. Bush on Aug. 3 signed H.R. 1, "Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007."  (PL 110-53). Included in the 23 titles of this bill are authorization language on Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPG), homeland security grants, interoperable communications, private sector preparedness, and strenghening the use of incident command.

Dewayne West, CEM, Testifies Before U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on Behalf of IAEM and NACo (07/31/07) Dewayne West, CEM, Past IAEM President, testified  on behalf of IAEM and NACo on July 31 before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on "FEMA Preparedness in 2007 and Beyond."


Dewayne West, CEM, represented IAEM and NACo at the

July 31 U.S. House Oversight and Government Operations

Committee hearing on "FEMA Preparedness in 2007 and Beyond."

Witnesses from left to right are: Albert Ashwood, President of the National Emergency Management Association; Christopher Geldart, Director, Office of National Capitol Region Coordination; Dewayne West, CEM, Past IAEM President; Darrell Darnell, Director, District of Columbia Homeland Security & Emergency Management Agency; and Kathleen Tierney, Director, Natural Hazards Center, University of Colorado-Boulder.

The hearing focused on the changes FEMA has undergone and not undergone in order to ensure that the federal government is prepared for and ready to respond to the next catastrophic disaster. The hearing also examined the disaster preparedness roles for other relevant agencies within federal, state, and local government.

Download Dewayne West's testimony. Testimony of the other witnesses is provided below:

Emergency Management Performance Grant Bill (HR 2775) approved  by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (06/29/07) On June 28, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure marked up and ordered reported, HR 2775, a bill to amend the Stafford Act and authorize EMPG. There was no opposition, and the bill was ordered reported by voice vote. The bill codifies EMPG in the Stafford Act, maintains the current administration and allowable uses, and increases the authorization levels to $450 million for FY 2009, $500 million for FY 2010, and $550 for FY 2011. The bill also changes the cost share for emergency operations centers to 75-25 from the current 50-50. Supportive statements on the bi-partisan bill were made by Full Committee Chairman James Oberstar (D-MN), Subcommittee Chair Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), and Subcommittee Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO).

Update on U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee Actions on Fiscal Year 2008 Appropriations for DHS (06/22/07)

IAEM Region 3 President Testifies at Briefing and Roundtable Discussion on Preparedness, Response, and Recovery for Children (06/20/07) news release and testimony

Update on Fiscal Year 2008 Appropriations for DHS, H.R. 2638 (06/10/07) From Martha Braddock, IAEM Policy Advisor  

H.R. 2638, a bill making appropriations for the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) for Fiscal Year 2008, was reported by the House Appropriations Committee and is expected to be considered on the House floor on Tuesday, June 12, 2007. The bill includes $300 million for Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPG). Download related documents here:

Senate Action: As of June 9, 2007, the Senate Subcommittee on Homeland Security is scheduled to markup on Wednesday, June 13, at 2:00 p.m., in Room 128 of the Capitol. The Full Appropriations Committee is scheduled to markup on June 14 at 2:00 p.m., in Room 106 of the Dirksen Building. 

IAEM News Release: Maintaining Separate Identity of the National Weather Service Is Critical to Emergency Managers for Protection of Life (05/18/07)

IAEM President Testifies on "FEMA's Preparedness and Response to All Hazards" Before U.S. House Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management (04/26/07) IAEM President Mike Selves, CEM, on Apr. 26 testified on "FEMA's Preparedness and Response to All Hazards" before Chairman Norton and the members of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Download Mike Selves' testimony. Also testifying were Admiral Johnson, Deputy Director of FEMA; James Lee Witt; Craig Fugate, State Director of Florida; and representatives of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the Fraternal Order of Police, and the Sheriffs Association.


From left: Mike Selves, CEM, IAEM President;
James Lee Witt, Former Director of FEMA, and
CEO of James Lee Witt Associates; and
Craig Fugate, Director of Florida Division of
Emergency Management representing the
National Emergency Management Association,
testified as a panel before the U.S. Subcommittee on
Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management on Apr. 26, 2007. The topic of the hearing
was “FEMA’s Preparedness and Response to All Hazards.”

CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS

IAEM President Testifies Before U.S. House Appropriations Committee on Homeland Security (03/09/07) IAEM President Mike Selves, CEM, on Mar. 9 testified before Chairman Price, Ranking Member Rogers, and other members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security at a hearing titled "Preparing for Disasters, Natural or Otherwise." Download Mike Selves' testimony. Selves was part of a panel of witnesses that also included: Bruce Baughman, Immediate Past President, National Emergency Management Association; Harold A. Schaitberger, General President, International Association of Fire Fighters; Chief James B. Harmes, President, International Association of Fire Chiefs; and Chief Jeff Cash, National Volunteer Fire Council, North Carolina State Director. A second panel of witnesses included: R. David Paulison, FEMA Director/DHS Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management, and William O. Jenkins, Jr., Director, Homeland Security and Justice Issues, GAO.


IAEM President Mike Selves, CEM (left) with IAFC President Chief James B. Harmes following Mar. 9, 2007 hearing before U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security.

IAEM Issues Position Statement on Emergency Management Performance Grants (02/13/07) The Emergency Management Performance Grant Program should be maintained as a separate all-hazard program focused on capacity building for all-hazards preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation at the state and local levels. Read IAEM's recommendations.

DHS Budget in Brief (02/05/07) Especially note: pp. 61-71 FEMA summary information; p. 66-67 comparison chart and notes on FY 07 enacted and FY 08 request; pp. 68-71 new initiatives; and p. 13 of overview "Build a Nimble Effective Emergency Response System and Culture of Preparedness", one of Secretary's five priorities for FY 08.

Highlights of President’s 2008 Budget Request for Department of Homeland Security (Memo from IAEM Poicy Advisor Martha Braddock) (02/05/07)

Fact Sheet: DHS Announces Eight Percent Increase in FY 2008 Budget Request (02/05/07)

DHS FY 2008 Budget Overview From Office of Management & Budget (02/05/07)

Membership of Key Committees and Subcommittees in the U.S. Senate of the 110th Congress (02/05/07)

Membership of Key Committees and Subcommittees in the U.S. House of Representatives of the 110th Congress (02/05/07)

President Bush Signs U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security Appropriations Act (10/04/06)

Conference Report on HR 5441 (DHS Appropriations for FY 2007 and FEMA Reform)  Passes House and Senate:  President to Sign Soon (09/29/06) On Sept. 29, the U.S. House and Senate cleared the Conference Report on HR 5441, which made appropriations for the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security for FY 2007 and included the FEMA reform bill. IAEM is pleased that EMPG was funded at $200 million and that the FEMA reform bill makes many changes to strengthen FEMA and start the restoration of an all-hazards National Emergency Management System.

Local Emergency Managers Applaud FEMA Reform Legislation in H.R. 5441 (09/26/06)

Ellis Stanley Testifies on Behalf of IAEM Before U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee on Homeland Security (09/08/06)

Ellis Stanley, Sr., CEM, IAEM U.S. Government Affairs Committee Vice-Chair, testified before the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee on Homeland Security on Sept. 7, on behalf of IAEM, on the topic of "Are We Prepared?" The prepared statement addressed funding issues, functional issues, and successful preparedness initiatives. Stanley stressed the need to increase funding for Emergency Management Performance Grants; discussed the key steps needed to strengthen federal emergency management at DHS; successful initiatives, such as EMAP, CEM, and EMAC; and strides in public-private preparedness initiatives. He also stressed the importance of state and local emergency managers having the opportunity to have significant, continual and meaningful participation in the policy development process.

First Panel: DHS Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management, R. David Paulison; DHS Under Secretary for Preparedness George Foresman; U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thad Allen.

Second Panel: IAEM Government Affairs Committee Vice-Chair and Past IAEM President Ellis Stanley, CEM; NEMA President Bruce Baughman.

Senators Present: Chairman Gregg (R-NH)*, Senator Cochran (R-MS)*, Senator Shelby (R-AL), Senator Domenici (R-NM), Senator Allard (R-Co),

Ranking Member Byrd (D-WV)*, Senator Landrieu (D-LA)

*present during 2nd panel

Download Statements:

  • Ellis M. Stanley, Sr., CEM - General Manager, Emergency Preparedness Department, City of Los Angeles, California, and Vice-Chair of the IAEM U.S. Government Affairs Committee.
  • Bruce Baughman - Director, Alabama State Emergency Management Agency, and President of the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA).
  • R. David Paulison - Under Secretary for Federal Emergency Management, U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
  • Other statements will be posted when available.

Comments Requested on S. 3721, Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (08/09/06) S. 3721, the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006, as reported by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs on August 3 is available on this link. This bill contains structural changes to FEMA as well as Stafford Act amendments. This Government Printing Office version of the bill has all the amendments made in the Aug. 3 Committee markup incorporated. You will notice that the bill has been changed to reflect the successful amendment of Sen. Coburn (R-OK) to maintain the name Federal Emergency Management Agency. Since the bill as marked up was a "substitute" for the bill as introduced, all the provisions after the enacting clause on page one to page 232 are lined through or "struck." Turn to page 232 to start your review of the current bill. If you have specific comments on this bill which you would like to provide to the IAEM Government Affairs Committee, please provide them to IAEM Policy Advisor Martha Braddock at braddock@iaem.com, note the page number and line number, and include your contact information. As of Aug. 8, it is anticipated that this bill will be considered on the Senate Floor the week of Sept. 11.  However, that timetable is subject to change.

Senate Bill 3595 Introduced That Would Restructure FEMA (06/30/06)

House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and House Committee on Homeland Security Approve Bills With Different Approaches To Strengthening FEMA

H.R. 5316, the RESPOND Act: Restoring Emergency Services to Protect Our Nation from Disasters Act of 2006, was approved by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on May 18 and by the House Committee on Government Reform on May 19. The RESPOND Act restores FEMA as an independent cabinet-level agency, strengthens FEMA, and creates a national system to improve emergency preparedness at all levels of government.  As of May 25, the bill had 76 co-sponsors, including 8 of the 11 members of the House Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparations for and Response to Hurricane Katrina. press release  

H.R. 5351, the National Emergency Management Reform and Enhancement Act of 2006, was approved by the House Committee on Homeland Security on May 18. The bill takes steps to improve communication and coordination at the federal, state and local levels; strengthen disaster preparedness and response capabilities nationwide; and eliminate waste, fraud and abuse. FEMA remains in DHS, but preparedness is returned to FEMA. During an incident of national significance, the FEMA director becomes part of the Cabinet. As of May 25, the bill had 40 co-sponsors. press release.

IAEM News Release: IAEM Responds to DHS Nationwide Plan Review - Urges Increase in EMPG Funding (06/23/06)

IAEM Legislative Alert: Contact Senators To Request Increase in EMPG Funding (06/22/06) On Tuesday, June 27, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security is scheduled to mark up H.R. 5441, the FY 07 Appropriations for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. On Thursday, June 29, the Full Senate Appropriations Committee is scheduled to mark up H.R. 5441. 

Background: The President’s request for Fiscal Year 2007 was $170 million, a decrease from the $183.1 million appropriated by Congress last year. The House passed a bill that  included $185 million. ($6 million was added in House Full Committee.) This is going to be a tough budget year, and it is important that the Senators’ offices hear from you again. Many of you made Senate contacts in March requesting that your Senators sign the letter being circulated by Senators Voinovich, Akaka, Collins and Lieberman, seeking to increase Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPG) to $235 million and asking that they include EMPG on their personal priority list. We were pleased that 41 Senators signed the letter. See a copy of the letter.

Action Requested: Contact your Senators’ Washington Offices as soon as possible. Download IAEM legislative alert, including tips on substance of contacts, whether established or new.

IAEM Legislative Alert: Upcoming House Vote on Whether FEMA Will Be Independent or Stay Within DHS (06/21/06) Over the past few months, as a service, we have informed our members about activity in Congress regarding the future status of FEMA. This alert is to advise you that next week – probably on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 – H.R. 5316, a bill with numerous provisions to strengthen FEMA, will be considered on the House Floor. There also will be a vote on an amendment to this bill to keep FEMA in DHS. This is a "watershed" moment for the future of emergency management in the United States; therefore, regardless of which position you take, we urge you to make your opinions known. Download IAEM legislative alert.

U.S. Government Affairs Committee Meeting, June 2006 (06/14/06)

The IAEM U.S. Government Affairs Committee met during the Mid-Year Meeting at the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, MD. The committee held a full-day work session, during which open comments were received on several key bills in Congress. Participants also discussed possible Stafford Act Changes.

Kathleen Henning, CEM, IAEM Region 3 President, presented a report on the actions of the Citizens Corps Council and the impact of its future projects on IAEM members.  Dalan Harris, NACo Legislative Specialist, discussed the issues that the National Association of Counties is working on and how they link with IAEM issues.

IAEM policy advisor Martha Braddock presented the various committee activities currently being conducted in Congress and how they are likely to impact the emergency management community. At the end of the day, individual working groups developed two position statements:

These position statements were presented to the IAEM Board by IAEM Government Affairs Committee Chairman Robert Bohlmann, CEM, and approved by the Board.

Individuals interested in working with the IAEM U.S. Government Affairs Committee are asked to contact IAEM Membership Director Sharon Kelly at info@iaem.com or Robert C. Bohlmann, CEM, Committee Chairman, at rcbohlmann@co.york.me.us for more information. We are always seeking individuals who are willing to work with local Congressional staff members to enhance IAEM’s ability to provide accurate, timely information on issues impacting our profession.

   

 
 
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U.S. House of Representatives Calendar for 2008

U.S. Senate Calendar for 2008

Stafford Disaster Relief Act - updated version that includes changes made during the 109th Congress (02/08/07)

Homeland Security Act - updated version that includes changes made during the 109th Congress (02/08/07)

Public Law 109-295 - Appropriations for DHS for FY 2007 and the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (02/08/07)

 
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