Dear John,
I often joke that if Congress had a motto, it would be “solving yesterday’s problems tomorrow… maybe.” Too often, people in power are slow to recognize our biggest challenges—and even slower to act.
When I was in Congress, I spearheaded legislation to create a non-partisan National Disaster Safety Board, which would conduct comprehensive investigations after natural disasters to help us better prepare for the future. I worked with experts to craft this bill to better protect Americans. I was able to get it passed through the House, but unfortunately, it died in the Senate.
Now, in the aftermath of the immense tragedy in Texas and other historic storms nationwide, my legislation is in the news again.
I’m glad Trump nominees and Republican legislators are now embracing this idea. What matters most is saving lives and preventing future tragedies, and I hope this bill can finally become law.
Disaster preparedness and response should not be partisan issues. We deserve leaders who act with empathy and urgency to keep Americans safe. As Governor, this is exactly the type of leadership I’ll bring to our state.
—Katie
