In a significant legal triumph for disaster preparedness, New York Attorney General Letitia James, along with a coalition of her peers from 20 states, the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania, clinched a victory against the federal administration's attempt to scrap the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program. This crucial FEMA initiative, as reported by the New York Attorney General's Office, is responsible for funneling billions into safeguarding communities from the unforgiving clutches of natural calamities.
Moving swiftly following the administration's abrupt and unlawful termination of the BRIC program in April 2025, Attorney General James and the coalition brought the issue before the courts. Despite having the foresight to prevent disasters before they strike, the program's $4 billion resources intended for pre-disaster mitigation were diverted to post-disaster grants - a decision reversed by the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts on December 11. The court's summary judgment deemed the program must persevere, shielded from the administration's efforts to dismantle it.
"From devastating wildfires to record-breaking storms, communities across the country are facing threats from increasingly destructive natural disasters," said Attorney General James, underscoring the dire need for programs like BRIC. The New York Attorney General's Office highlighted the Attorney General's declaration that this win is pivotal, not just for New Yorkers but for people nationwide whose safety and economic stability hinge on proactive disaster management.
BRIC's role, now secured by the ruling, extends beyond simple funding—it's a lifeline that supports state, local, tribal, and territorial government initiatives to reinforce and reimagine infrastructure capable of standing firm against nature’s wrath. The funds, which notably assist in erecting flood walls and improving vital utilities, were pivotal for New York's 38 threatened projects valued at over $380 million. Ensuring the continuation of such projects is more than a bureaucratic success; it's a critical investment in the resilience of our cities and the lives that thrive within them.
The lawsuit was joined by a broad swath of Attorneys General from states including Arizona, Maryland, and Oregon, to name a few, as well as the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania.
