As Las Vegas Breaks Own Record for Most 100-Degree Days, Rosen Bill to Ensure Extreme Heat Qualifies As A Major Disaster Passes in Committee

As Of Wednesday, Las Vegas Broke Its Own Record For Having The Most 100-Degree Days in a Year

Senator Rosen Introduced This Bill In July During A Record-Breaking Heat Wave

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) announced that her Extreme Heat Emergency Act passed in the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. The bill would explicitly allow extreme heat and other extreme temperatures to qualify as a major disaster under the Stafford Act, which recognizes fires, floods, explosions, and natural catastrophes such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes as disasters eligible for a Major Disaster Declaration from the President. This would help communities like Las Vegas and Reno, two of the fastest warming cities in the United States, access resources and funding to address the damages and losses they're experiencing as a result of extreme heat waves.

This legislation comes in the wake of record-breaking temperatures in Nevada that have caused concerns for the health and well-being of families. As of Wednesday, Las Vegas broke its record for having the most 100-degree days in a year since 1947. This summer, Senator Rosen visited a Clark County cooling station activated in East Las Vegas, highlighting the need for federal resources to increase resilience against extreme heat.

"This year, Nevadans have been experiencing record-breaking temperatures that are putting our communities at risk," said Senator Rosen. "That's why I've been pushing to pass my bill to ensure extreme heat can qualify for a Major Disaster Declaration, and make funding and critical resources available for communities in Nevada. I'm proud to see it pass in committee, and I'll keep working to ensure it becomes law."

Senator Rosen has been leading the fight to ensure that Nevadans have access to federal resources to stay safe during natural disasters. After last year's winter storms, Senator Rosen urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency to assist impacted Nevada farmers and ranchers and successfully pushed President Biden to provide more resources and heed Governor Joe Lombardo's call to issue a Major Disaster Declaration for Nevada. Senator Rosen has also called on the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide federal assistance to address extreme heat in Nevada.

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