Congresswoman McClain Delaney Introduces Legislation to Support Local Emergency Response Efforts During Disaster

Congresswoman McClain Delaney Introduces Legislation to Support Local Emergency Response Efforts During Disaster

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Yesterday, Congresswoman April McClain Delaney (D-MD) and Congressman Tim Kennedy (D-NY) introduced the Emergency Alert Grant Fairness Act, legislation written to ensure that the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) Next Generation Warning System (NGWS) can operate as intended and directly support local public broadcasters.

Congress created the NGWS to help local public broadcasters purchase modernized equipment to ensure a resilient, redundant emergency alert system, reaching more than 99% of Americans, regardless of cell phone service or internet access. The program had been administered by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) since its inception, but management has shifted to FEMA as a result of CPB's closure. Earlier this year, FEMA issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Fiscal Year 2025 with a short 9-day application window. The NOFO also restricted eligibility to State and Tribal governments, excluding local public broadcasters who the NGWS is meant to support. On September 9th, Congresswoman McClain Delaney and Congressman Kennedy led a letterto FEMA Administrator David Richardson urging the agency to protect and continue NGWS grants To date, the letter has not received a response.

The Emergency Alert Grant Fairness Act would direct FEMA to hold the NGWS application window open for at least 30 days each year, in addition to restoring and clarifying grant eligibility to allow local public broadcasters to apply.

"When Western Maryland saw incredible devastation at the hands of historic flooding last May, emergency alerts played an essential role in delivering life-saving information to every family affected, preventing further devastation" said Congresswoman McClain Delaney."When disaster strikes, we must be equipped with the proper infrastructure to reach our communities and keep them safe. That looks like the Emergency Alert Grant Fairness Act, supporting our local broadcasters and fighting for much-needed emergency resources."

"When disaster strikes, families rely on timely, accurate alerts to stay safe, and that only happens when the systems behind those messages are strong and accessible," said Congressman Tim Kennedy."This bill protects the NGWS program as Congress intended, ensuring local public broadcasters can continue delivering the lifesaving warnings our communities depend on. I'm proud to join Rep. McClain Delaney in introducing legislation that protects our communities and ensures they have the timely information needed during emergencies.

Cosponsors include: Bell (D-MO), Carson (D-IN), Carter (D-LA), Fields (D-LA), Hernandez (D-PR), Huffman (D-CA), Mullin (D-CA), Scanlon (D-PA), Stanton (D-AZ), Thompson (D-CA), and Titus (D-NV).

You can view the bill text here.

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For updates, follow Rep. McClain Delaney at @RepAprilDelaney.

Congresswoman April McClain Delaney was elected in 2024 to serve Maryland's 6th Congressional District, which encompasses all or part of Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany and Garrett Counties. In Congress, McClain Delaney is focused on improving US competitiveness and innovation, protecting our natural environment and championing policies that represent the values and priorities of Maryland's 6th District.