{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://mcclaindelaney.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-mcclain-delaney-introduces-bipartisan-rural-recovery-act-2025", "Congresswoman McClain Delaney Introduces Bipartisan Rural Recovery Act of 2025 to Support Rural Communities When Disaster Strikes", "2025-12-04", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "MD", "April McClain Delaney", "M001232", "mcclaindelaney.house.gov", "mcclaindelaney", "https://mcclaindelaney.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 Today, Congresswoman April McClain Delaney (D-MD) and Congressman Gabe Evans (R-CO) introduced the Rural Recovery Act, a bipartisan measure to ensure that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is equipped to respond timely and effectively when rural communities are impacted by natural disasters.\n\nFrom economic outlooks to critical infrastructure, USDA\u2019s Rural Development (RD) plays a key role in meeting the needs of rural America \u2014 support that is even more essential when rural families are in crisis. Natural disasters have become more frequent and devastating, with rural areas facing unique barriers to recovery. Yet, USDA RD state offices and applicants are required to undergo a tedious application process in order to receive emergency recovery technical assistance during a Presidentially-declared disaster.\n\nCurrently, USDA recovery efforts take too long to reach communities, and delays the rebuilding of essential infrastructure like telecommunications, water systems, housing, community facilities, and energy services. To strengthen a disaster response effort, the bipartisan Rural Recovery Act would:\n\nProvide automatic funding to USDA RD state offices for recovery technical assistance immediately upon a disaster declaration.\n\nEliminate the need for RD offices to submit separate applications during emergencies\n\nAuthorize $50 million annually to support planning, application assistance, and project implementation for up to three years following a disaster.\n\n\u201cIn Western Maryland, the Westernport community\u2013which suffered devastating floods in May\u2013has come together in heart and spirit, fighting to rebuild what was lost, but they shouldn\u2019t have to do it alone,\u201d said Congresswoman April McClain Delaney. \u201cHad we received automatic technical assistance through USDA Rural Development, local economies, infrastructure, and families would have felt the difference. Emergencies don\u2019t wait for lengthy application processes \u2014 and our communities can\u2019t either.\u201d\n\n\"Growing up in Colorado, I\u2019ve seen how wildfires, drought, and floods hit small towns especially hard. When disaster strikes our families and small businesses shouldn\u2019t have to fight through federal red tape just to rebuild. This bipartisan bill equips USDA with the tools to deliver immediate financial support to rural communities so our farmers and ranchers, main street businesses, and families can get back on their feet faster than ever before,\u201d said Congressman Gabe Evans.\n\nCosponsors include: Fields (D-LA), Salinas (D-OR), Stansbury (D-NM), Thompson (D-CA)\n\nYou can view the bill text here.\n\n##\n\nFor updates, follow Rep. McClain Delaney at @RepAprilDelaney.\n\nCongresswoman April McClain Delaney was elected in 2024 to serve Maryland\u2019s 6th Congressional District, which encompasses all or part of Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany and Garrett Counties. In Congress, McClain Delaney is focused on improving US competitiveness and innovation, protecting our natural environment and championing policies that represent the values and priorities of Maryland\u2019s 6th District.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://mcclaindelaney.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-mcclain-delaney-introduces-bipartisan-rural-recovery-act-2025"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9982599876821041, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}