News from May 2023


One Month Left to Apply for Federal Disaster Assistance

Homeowners and renters in Cannon, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Lewis, Macon, McNairy, Rutherford, Tipton and Wayne counties who had damage or losses in the recent storms and tornadoes have until Tuesday, June 6, 2023, to apply for federal disaster assistance.


U.S. Fire Administration Announces Effort to Launch New Fire Information and Analytics Platform

Today, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) announces the launch of the modernization effort to develop a new, interoperable fire information and analytics platform, known as the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS), for the American fire and emergency services. This effort is being carried out as a partnership between USFA and the US Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate (S&T).


Mobile Disaster Recovery Center Making Stop in Greenville

Mobile Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) run by FEMA and the state of Mississippi is now open in Greenville.


President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Kentucky

FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the Commonwealth of Kentucky to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides Feb. 15-20, 2023.


FEMA Direct Temporary Housing Helps Families Return Home in Western Kentucky

Eighteen months after a major disaster was declared for Western Kentucky due to tornadoes and severe storms, FEMA’s temporary housing program is scheduled to end for survivors Friday, June 12, 2023.


FEMA approves Nearly $16 Million in Federal Funding for the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management

FEMA has approved nearly $16 million for the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management (KYEM) to support their emergency operations center (EOC) in response to the severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides last summer.



Just Two Weeks Left for Mississippi Storm Survivors to Apply for Federal Support

Mississippi homeowners and renters who sustained damage to their primary property from the March 24-25 severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes have just two weeks left to apply for federal assistance.



Peters Reintroduces Legislation To Combat Increased Use Of Dangerous Gun Conversion Devices

U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, reintroduced bipartisan legislation to combat the increased use and proliferation of dangerous gun conversion devices.


Peters Urges Omb To Include Middle Eastern Or North African Category In Federal Standards For Gathering Data On Race And Ethnicity

U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, is calling on the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to accept an interagency working group’s recommended revisions to federal standards for collecting data on race and ethnicity.


Peters Convenes Hearing On Improving Access To Federal Grants For Underserved Communities

U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, convened a hearing to discuss challenges faced by governments and organizations in small and rural communities when applying for federal grants


Peters & Cornyn Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill To Protect Commercial Satellites From Cybersecurity Threats

U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, reintroduced bipartisan legislation that would require the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to help protect commercial satellite owners and operators from disruptive cyber-attacks.


Peters And Hawley Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill To Bolster Dhs Efforts To Detect And Seize Illicit Drugs

U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Josh Hawley (R-MO) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to ensure that the Department of the Homeland Security (DHS) is efficiently using existing resources and expanding available tools to stop the flow of deadly and illicit drugs like fentanyl into our nation.


At Hearing on Army Budget, Senator Murray Stresses Importance of Supporting Military Families—and of Keeping Pace with Global Competitors’ Investments

Today, at a Senate Appropriations Defense subcommittee hearing on the President’s fiscal year 2024 budget request for the Army, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, underscored the importance of passing bipartisan funding bills in a timely way to ensure our investments don’t fall behind our competitors’—and of delivering the support our servicemembers and military families are counting on and deserve.


At EPA Budget Hearing, Senator Murray Highlights How House Republicans’ Cuts Threaten Clean Air & Water, Efforts to Combat PFAS Contamination

“PFAS, or forever chemicals, aren’t just toxic—they are everywhere—to the point where they can even be found in our blood. We need to make sure we are cutting down on pollution—not cutting the funding EPA needs to protect our kids.”


Senator Murray Discusses Efforts to Strengthen U.S. Competitiveness

Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and many of her Democratic colleagues to discuss a new legislative effort to bolster U.S. competitiveness and reiterate the importance of her work as Appropriations Chair to craft and pass funding bills to keep pace with our competitors and keep America on the cutting edge.


Senator Murray at NIH Budget Hearing: We Cannot Afford to Slash Our Investments in Lifesaving Research

Today, at a Senate Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies subcommittee hearing on the president’s fiscal year 2024 budget request for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA)


Senator Murray: Living Up to Our Nation’s Commitments to Tribes Includes Delivering on Key Federal Investments—Not Slashing Them

Today, at a Senate Appropriations Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies subcommittee hearing on the president’s fiscal year 2024 budget request for Indian Country, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA),