Democrats propose legislation to classify extreme heat as a disaster
CBS America · New
CBS America
New
Under federal law, there are 16 types of natural disasters eligible for federal funding, but extreme heat is not one of them. A group of Democratic lawmakers is proposing legislation to change that.
Breakdown
- Extreme heat is not currently classified as a natural disaster eligible for federal funding.
- Democratic lawmakers have proposed legislation to add extreme heat to the list of federally recognized disasters. 6s
- The legislation would enable funding for cooling centers, air conditioning, and rooftop solar. 16s
- Extreme heat is now the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the United States. 41s
- Critics argue that existing grants can address heat impacts, but supporters say a disaster designation is needed for comprehensive response. 2m 45s