WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, where Senator Claire McCaskill serves as the top-ranking Democrat, held a confirmation hearing for Brock Long, President Trump’s nominee to become the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which leads the federal government’s emergency management and prevention efforts.
“So far this year, we’ve already had severe floods in Missouri…we had a number of bridges completely wiped out, we had roads washed out, we had homes completely washed away,” McCaskill said to Long. “If you are confirmed, I look forward to working with you as Missouri continues to recover from flood damage, having very recently gotten the disaster declaration submitted to the federal government for the many counties that were devastated by the recent floods.”
McCaskill also praised Long’s extensive experience, stating, “You’ve had a career in emergency management, seeing the process from all sides: at FEMA, at a state emergency management agency, and consulting for cities, counties, and private entities. I think you bring a wealth of experience to this responsibility.”
Last week, President Trump issued a federal disaster declaration for Missouri communities recovering from recent flooding, after McCaskill and Senator Roy Blunt sent a bipartisan letter in support of Governor Eric Greitens’ request for federal resources. As the top-ranking Democrat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, McCaskill has also backed legislation to require FEMA to create easily accessible online grant training for first responders taking into account the time and financial pressures many fire departments face, particularly those in rural areas.
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