Central Louisiana News

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy delivered a speech on the Senate floor urging the continuation of FEMA's Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program. The program, which has played a role in preventing flood damage and reducing recovery costs nationwide, faces potential cuts and application cancellations.

"FEMA must reconsider cutting the BRIC program and canceling BRIC applications. This program is a life-saver and a cost-saver that President Trump supported during his first term," said Senator Cassidy. He emphasized the importance of investing in infrastructure to shield families from floods. "We have a program to do that. It’s called BRIC," he explained, stressing its long-term cost-saving benefits.

The BRIC Program was established by Congress in 2018 under Trump's administration and aims to reduce flood risks through pre-disaster mitigation. Recently, there was an announcement that this FEMA-run program would end. Cassidy highlighted that Louisiana, one of the largest per capita beneficiaries of BRIC funding, relies heavily on these investments for protection against hurricanes and floods.

In his prepared remarks, Cassidy noted, "If you go down to South Louisiana, for example, you’ll see homes that have been elevated that now will not flood." He stated that investing in such measures saves money in the long term and prevents future loss.

Cassidy urged FEMA to reconsider its decision. "Congress passed it for a reason...The BRIC Program is a life-saver and a cost-saver that President Trump supported during his first term," he said. He also provided specific examples of projects funded through the BRIC program in Louisiana, such as infrastructure enhancements and community evacuation routes.

Concluding his remarks, Cassidy underscored the necessity of the BRIC Program nationwide, citing areas across the U.S. that have experienced flooding in recent months. "When rivers swell, Americans should be prepared. BRIC ensures we are."

He expressed a desire for Congress to act to maintain the program, believing it benefits both taxpayers and at-risk communities. "Right now, we have a program to do that. It’s called BRIC. Again, it protects families and saves taxpayer dollars in the long-run."