Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has taken the lead, co-heading a group of 20 states in a legal action against the Trump Administration, over a decision to halt the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program. This bi-partisan initiative, which has stood as a pillar of disaster preparedness for three decades, has been a crucial resource for communities strengthening their infrastructure in anticipation of natural catastrophes. According to a statement from the Office of the Attorney General, the unexpected termination of the BRIC program is both abrupt and illegal, leaving states bereft of federal support essential for disaster mitigation efforts.
AG Campbell explains the significance of the BRIC program by highlighting the role federal resources play in states' disaster preparation and response, especially in light of recent severe flooding in Texas. The argument for the program's continuity is grounded in its cost-effectiveness, with studies showing that for every dollar FEMA spends on mitigation, six dollars are saved in post-disaster expenses. However, the Trump Administration's action to stop the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities initiative has led to halted or canceled projects across the country, thereby increasing the risk of disaster-related damages and jeopardizing public safety. "By abruptly and unlawfully shutting down the BRIC program, this administration is abandoning states and local communities that rely on federal funding to protect their residents and, in the event of disaster, save lives," the Office of the Attorney General said.
Slated for roughly $4.5 billion in Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities funding, nearly 2,000 projects have been selected by FEMA over the past four years to enhance the infrastructure’s resilience against natural calamities. Massachusetts itself has utilized BRIC funds for numerous vital undertakings. These range from implementing climate proofing measures in vulnerable Boston neighborhoods to upgrading bridges and protecting vital transportation links like the Blue Line tunnel, as reported by the Office of the Attorney General.
Adding to the legal consequences, the coalition asserts that the termination of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program directly contravenes the will of Congress and disrupts the separation of powers. The lawsuit aims to secure a preliminary injunction to prevent the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities funds from being diverted, and a permanent injunction to reinstate the program and its funds to the communities depending on them, AG Campbell and her fellow plaintiffs accuse Cameron Hamilton, the acting FEMA Administrator who directed the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program's closure, of operating without rightful appointment by the president or Senate confirmation, further illegitimizing the administration’s move. Joining Campbell in this lawsuit are attorneys general from a cross-section of states, including Colorado, New York, and Oregon, as well as the governor of Pennsylvania, as per the Office of the Attorney General.
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