H.Res. 1555

[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1555 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1555

Condemning the spreading of disinformation and malicious rumors that 
have led to threats against disaster response personnel.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

October 29, 2024

Mr. Thompson of Mississippi (for himself, Mr. Larsen of Washington, Ms. 
Velazquez, Mr. Carter of Louisiana, Ms. Titus, Mr. Swalwell, Mr. 
Correa, Mr. Thanedar, Mr. Magaziner, Mr. Ivey, Mr. Goldman of New York, 
Mr. Robert Garcia of California, Mrs. Ramirez, Mr. Menendez, Mr. 
Suozzi, Mr. Kennedy, Mrs. McIver, Ms. Clarke of New York, Ms. Norton, 
Ms. Lee of California, Mr. Doggett, Mr. Sablan, Ms. Barragan, Ms. 
Williams of Georgia, Mr. Moulton, Mr. Gottheimer, Mr. Costa, Mr. 
Carson, Ms. Lois Frankel of Florida, Mr. Landsman, Mr. Johnson of 
Georgia, Mr. Case, Mr. Vargas, Mr. Espaillat, Mr. Thompson of 
California, Ms. McCollum, and Ms. Garcia of Texas) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure

_______________________________________________________________________

RESOLUTION

Condemning the spreading of disinformation and malicious rumors that 
have led to threats against disaster response personnel.

Whereas in 1979, President Jimmy Carter signed Executive Order 12127, which 
established the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA);
Whereas FEMA serves the American public by helping people before, during, and 
after disasters;
Whereas under the Biden-Harris Administration, FEMA has worked to improve its 
disaster assistance programs;
Whereas after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, there has been a reckless promotion 
of disinformation and malicious rumors directed at the disaster response 
operations of FEMA;
Whereas such disinformation has been spread through social media platforms and 
amplified, including by some elected officials;
Whereas such disinformation has disturbed disaster survivors and potentially 
caused many such survivors to forfeit their deserved Federal support, 
both now and in the future;
Whereas disinformation and malicious rumors regarding disaster response 
undermines the confidence in Federal, State, local, Tribal, and 
territorial officials and first responders;
Whereas the promotion of disinformation and malicious rumors compromises 
recovery for individuals and families who need help the most;
Whereas safeguarding the integrity of disaster response efforts is paramount to 
ensuring that survivors receive the assistance they need without 
hesitation or fear;
Whereas FEMA depends on the cooperation and trust of survivors and communities 
to effectively deliver assistance;
Whereas undermining FEMA's operations not only delays recovery efforts but also 
compromises the ability of FEMA to respond to future emergencies;
Whereas collaboration between Federal, State, local, Tribal and territorial 
governments is essential in combating disinformation and ensuring 
accurate, timely information reaches those in need;
Whereas in some places, disinformation and malicious rumors have created an 
unsafe atmosphere for FEMA employees to work continuously to assist 
Hurricane Helene survivors due to credible threats to safety;
Whereas, during the weekend of October 11, 2024, FEMA employees in parts of 
North Carolina paused their door-to-door disaster assistance operations 
following a credible threat and ongoing disinformation;
Whereas disinformation has led to antisemitic threats directed at elected 
officials and Federal employees;
Whereas disaster survivors should be supported by Congress, other elected 
officials, and candidates for elected office, who have a responsibility 
to ensure an effective response rather than create chaos and confusion; 
and
Whereas it is unacceptable for leaders with national platforms to promote 
disaster response disinformation and malicious rumors that have led to 
distrust, mass confusion, anger, and credible threats to disaster 
response personnel: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) condemns the spreading of disinformation and malicious 
rumors that have led to credible threats against disaster 
response personnel;
(2) condemns the actions of those individuals using 
disaster response disinformation and malicious rumors for 
political gain;
(3) commits to providing FEMA and other Federal agencies 
supporting disaster response operations with the necessary 
resources to combat disinformation and malicious rumors; and
(4) commits to promoting facts and helpful information 
concerning disaster response and recovery operations that will 
strengthen coordination between Federal, State, local, Tribal, 
and territorial leadership for the betterment of all 
communities in the United States.
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