WASHINGTON, D.C. – Bipartisan legislation authored by U.S. Senators Rand Paul (R-KY), Gary Peters (D-MI), and James Lankford (R-OK) to simplify the application process for federal disaster recovery assistance has advanced out of committee. The legislation would require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish a universal application across federal agencies for disaster survivors who are seeking federal assistance to recover from hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and more. Currently, individuals that seek federal aid to recover from a disaster must fill out separate and detailed applications depending on what agency they need help from – a process that can take weeks or even months. The senators’ legislation would significantly streamline this process to reduce the burden on disaster survivors. The bill was advanced by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, where Paul serves as Ranking Member and Peters serves as Chair. It now moves to the full Senate for consideration.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Stakeholders and organizations are applauding U.S. Senators Rand Raul (R-KY), Gary Peters (D-MI), and James Lankford (R-OK) for introducing bipartisan legislation to simplify the application process for federal disaster recovery assistance. The legislation would require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish a universal application across federal agencies for disaster survivors who are seeking federal assistance to recover from hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and more. Currently, individuals that seek federal aid to recover from a disaster must fill out separate and detailed applications depending on what agency they need help from – a process that can take weeks or even months. The senators’ legislation would significantly streamline this process to reduce the burden on disaster survivors. The senators serve on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, where Paul and Peters are Ranking Member and Chairman respectively.