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

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

<DOC>






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.
                                 <all>