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Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to reauthorize Congresswoman Suzan DelBene’s (WA-01) National Landslide Preparedness Act. This bipartisan law is addressing gaps in science and mapping that are critical for understanding and responding to landslide hazards. The landslide law is currently set to expire in September. The House Natural Resources Committee recently unanimously approved DelBene’s reauthorization bill.  

Since 2021, the National Landslide Preparedness Act has helped save lives, improve natural disaster emergency preparedness, and protect communities and property from landslide hazards. The reauthorization would continue these programs until 2029. The Senate must now pass the legislation.   

Watch DelBene’s remarks here. Her remarks as delivered are below: 

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this legislation.  

For the past three years, the National Landslide Preparedness Act has been providing communities with the tools and resources they need to reduce the potential devastation of landslides. 

Washington state knows this pain too well.  

A decade ago, the single deadliest landslide in U.S. history destroyed a community between Oso and Darrington and took 43 lives in mere minutes.  

I knew in the aftermath that we must do more to prevent future natural disasters from becoming national tragedies. 

The landslide law I championed is doing exactly that. The programs established by the law are increasing preparedness and improving mapping data so communities understand where vulnerabilities exist. 

We cannot let these programs expire when they’re just now getting up and running. 

The landslide law passed this chamber without opposition in 2020 because every state in this country has some form of landslide risk. 

Each year, landslides kill between 20 and 50 people and cause over $3 billion in damage. 

With a changing climate and more unpredictable weather, landslide risks are only going to grow more frequent, more dangerous, and more costly. 

I urge my colleagues to support the Weather Act which includes my legislation that extends these programs.  

I also want to thank Congresswomen Schrier and Gluesenkamp Perez along with Senators Cantwell and Murkowski for their support in reauthorizing the landslide law. 

Thank you. I yield back.