Heinrich Presses Biden Administration Officials on Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office Compensation Delays, Actions to Help New Mexican Families Recover from Severe Fires &[...]

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, questioned Biden administration officials on meeting the needs of New Mexican families impacted by the 2022 Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire and this year's severe fires and flooding in Northern New Mexico, Chaves County, Lincoln County, and the Mescalero Apache Reservation.

Heinrich presses Biden administration officials on meeting the needs of New Mexican families impacted by severe fires and flooding, November 20, 2024.

On the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office compensation delays:

Heinrich began, "I am extremely disappointed that so many New Mexicans continue to wait for the relief and compensation they are owed by the federal government through the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office. What can FEMA do differently so that those who lost everything in the fire are not last to receive compensation?"

Deanne Criswell, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator, responded, "Senator Heinrich, I appreciate your continued work with my department, agency, and staff in the field to make sure everybody in New Mexico that was impacted by these horrific fires get the compensation they need. We have increased our staffing significantly throughout the year and have increased the number of claims paid out as a result of that. Today, we have over $1.5 billion that have gone into the hands of people, but we know we have more work to do."

Heinrich pressed, "It seems like the people who were hit the hardest are at the tail end of getting compensated. The simple claims have moved but the more complicated and devastating claims are often the ones that are not getting done in a timely way."

Criswell responded, "We are working with each person individually as they have their own unique experience. The more complicated ones require additional information and that is why we want to have the appropriate amount of staff so we can work with each family, each individual, to understand their specific needs, get that documentation, and get them reimbursement they are eligible for."

Heinrich underscored the need for an additional $1.5 billion to compensate victims of the government-caused Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire, "What would the impact be on victims if this funding is not approved?"

Criswell responded, "The current authorization was for $4 billion and we had an independent actuarial report recently that shows this is not going to be sufficient. We expect it to be somewhere over $5 billion and it may even go higher...we can meet the claims today, the claims that we have had submitted. But [without the ability to transfer that funding], I will not be able to meet the claims down the road based on what I believe is an accurate report from this independent actuary."

On the need to help families, businesses, and non-profits in Roswell and Chaves County recover from flooding:

Heinrich asked Isabel Guzman, Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator, "SBA disaster loans are a lifeline for families, businesses, and non-profits recovering from flooding, like what occurred in Roswell and Chaves County recently. Last week, I joined Senators Tillis, Budd, and Warner in pushing a stop-gap bill to restart SBA loans immediately."

"If Congress passes the President's request, will the people in line at the SBA in Roswell, New Mexico, be able to receive the low-interest loans needed?" Heinrich asked.

Guzman responded, "SBA is prepared to act swiftly to continue processing all of the loans that are pending our review, as well as those that are already in queue - nearly $1 billion. We will be able to immediately inform them within 24-48 hours and then get all of the finalized closing documents to move as quickly as possible."

On New Mexico's recovery from the 2022 fires and flooding disasters:

Heinrich asked Adrianne Todman, Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Deputy Secretary, "HUD still has not approved the State of New Mexico's Action Plan for recovery from the floods and fire disasters of 2022, which is an impediment to recovery efforts. Do I have your commitment to approv[e] New Mexico's plan before the end of the year, when we will see an administration change?"

Todman responded, "My team briefed me on some of the technical difficulties the grantee has been experiencing and we will provide technical assistance so we can get that across the finish line before the end of the year."

Heinrich pressed Todman, "We need to get that done. We will start from ground zero with a brand-new administration and all of the turnover. We need to get that done by the end of the year."

Todman responded by committing to approve New Mexico's Action Plan for recovery before the end of the year.

On the need to hire disaster recovery staff for the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon burn scar:

Heinrich asked Xochitl Torres Small, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary, "The Santa Fe National Forest has struggled for months to hire disaster recovery team members for the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon burn scar. As you know President Biden made a commitment to these communities. It's critical that we get these hires done."

"Do you have an update on when those positions will be filled?" Heinrich asked.

Torres Small responded, "We've been working exceptionally hard, recognizing that we're doing so in a challenging fiscal environment. It takes people to both fight fires and manage a forest better. We've been able to rebuild through the Infrastructure Law but now we're facing real budget constraints. Initially, we had to propose a hiring freeze all across the Forest Service because we're preparing for changes when it comes to appropriations dollars. That being said, there is an exceptions process and recognizing the commitment we have made in terms of recovery for Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon fire, we have considered that exceptions process and the Forest Service Chief has reviewed and approved four positions for hiring."

Background on Heinrich's leadership on Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Response and Recovery

Earlier this week, Heinrich, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) announced that President Biden's disaster supplemental request includes transfer authority for $1.5 billion to help New Mexicans recover from the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire. If President Biden's disaster supplemental request is approved by Congress, Heinrich, Luján, Leger Fernández, and the N.M. Congressional Delegation will have secured $5.45 billion to help New Mexicans recover and rebuild since the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire in April 2022.

Earlier this month, Heinrich, Luján, and Leger Fernández sent a letter urging the FEMA Director of the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Office and the FEMA Director of the New Mexico Joint Recovery Office to address concerns from New Mexicans about the process for receiving compensation from the Claims Office and help families get the relief and compensation needed to recover.

In September, Heinrich, Luján, and Leger Fernández secured an extension to the period that victims may file claims with the Hermit's Peak Claims Office to December 20, 2024. The lawmakers are continuing to call for the passage of their Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Extension Act, legislation they introduced last year to extend the period a victim can file a claim with the Hermit's Peak Claims Office through the end of 2027.

Additional information on Heinrich's leadership on Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Response and Recovery can be found here.

Background on Heinrich's Leadership on Salt and South Fork Fires Response and Recovery:

In June, Heinrich and Luján met with families, local and Tribal leaders, firefighters, first responders, and emergency operation commanders in Roswell, Ruidoso, and the Mescalero Apache Reservation, discussing the response to and impacts of the South Fork and Salt Fires.

In June, Heinrich and the entire New Mexico Congressional Delegation successfully urged President Biden to swiftly approve a Major Disaster Declaration request from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. The Major Disaster Declaration opened up access to Public Assistance and Individual Assistance from FEMA. Public Assistance supports the restoration and reconstruction of public infrastructure and lands. Individual Assistance supports families with losses suffered due to the fires. For more information on how to apply for these resources, click here.

In August, Heinrich and the N.M. Delegation welcomed $800,000 from the U.S. Department of Labor - provided through the Major Disaster Declaration--to support disaster-relief jobs and training services in communities affected by the South Fork and Salt Fires.

Background on Heinrich's Leadership on Chaves County Flooding Response and Recovery:

In the immediate aftermath of the record rainfall and destructive floods in Roswell and Chaves County, N.M. over the weekend of Oct. 19, Heinrich and the entire N.M. Delegation called on President Joe Biden to approve a Major Disaster Declaration request from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. On November 1, Heinrich welcomed President Biden's approval of the Major Disaster Declaration request for Chaves County, which unlocked new federal resources to help communities rebuild.

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