Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-10), senior member of the House Judiciary Committee and House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, issued the following statement in support of the Emergency Information Improvement Act, providing FEMA assistance to public broadcasters.  After working on legislation in the House to help public broadcasters access disaster relief in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, the House today voted on a Senate bill that finally corrects the eligibility confusion over disaster relief for public broadcasters:

“More than two years ago, Superstorm Sandy devastated New York City and communities along the East Coast, leaving hundreds of millions of dollars in damage. It also demonstrated FEMA’s critical role in the aftermath of such disasters, while highlighting the gaps and issues in our emergency response and our constituents’ ability to access disaster assistance. Public broadcasting is no exception, and I have been heavily involved in House legislation that clarifies FEMA assistance eligibility for certain communications, devices, and equipment.  The bill we are voting on today will ensure that after a disaster like Superstorm Sandy, communities can continue sharing information on evacuation orders, emergency routes, and where to find food, shelter, and other critical services. In the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, that information literally saved lives. I am pleased this legislation will finally eliminate the ambiguity over the eligibility of public broadcasting for assistance and ensure that communications can remain fully operational in the aftermath of a natural disaster.” 

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