{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://stanton.house.gov/2024/7/as-phoenix-hits-record-high-temperatures-stanton-titus-introduce-legislation-improving-emergency-response-to-extreme-heat/510af417-6ba0-4e0f-afb2-4bb56069b8a7", "As Phoenix Hits Record High Temperatures, Stanton, Titus Introduce Legislation Improving Emergency Response to Extreme Heat", "2024-07-12", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Greg Stanton", "S001211", "stanton.house.gov", "stanton", "https://stanton.house.gov/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Reps. Greg Stanton and Dina Titus of Nevada this week introduced theExtreme Weather and Heat Response Modernization Act to empower the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to better address extreme heat and to provide communities with more resources, including cooling centers, to keep people safe during extreme heat events.\n\nMaricopa County recorded a tragic 645 heat-related deaths in 2023, a 50% year-over-year increase. This summer is on pace to be even warmer. Last month was the hottest June on record in Phoenix, and surface temperatures on Phoenix streets and sidewalks havereached a scalding 160\u00b0.\n\nAs heat-related illnesses and hospitalizations continue to increase, communities need more resources to protect individuals, including the ability to set up cooling centers to help vulnerable people maintain a safe body temperature.\n\n\u201cIn Arizona, we know all too well that extreme heat can be deadly. Strengthening and expanding FEMA\u2019s capacity to help state and local governments respond to more frequent and intense heat waves is a common-sense step that will save lives,\u201d saidRep. Stanton.\n\n\u201cExtreme heat events kill more people annually than hurricanes and tornadoes combined, and emergency room visits for heat-related illnesses are on the rise,\u201d saidRep. Titus. \u201cWhile steps have been taken in recent years, more needs to be done to improve emergency responses to this deadly threat. My bill will provide FEMA with the flexibility to expand its suite of mitigation measures against extreme heat, including cooling centers. It will also require guidance so communities have the certainty they need to plan for the future.\u201d\n\n\"As Phoenix continues to grapple with the adverse impacts of intensifying extreme heat, I am grateful for Representative Stanton\u2019s introduction of the Extreme Weather and Heat Response Modernization Act,\u201dPhoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said. \u201cThis legislation represents a crucial step towards increasing support for vulnerable communities by advocating for critical measures like deploying portable air conditioners and advancing my previous call on FEMA to recognize heat as the emergency weather event that it is. These new, proactive steps are essential for building heat resilience, protecting our infrastructure, and saving lives.\u201d\n\nThe legislation is supported by the National Association of Counties (NACo), National League of Cities, Natural Resources Defense Council, Desert Research Institute, and BuildStrong America.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:24:45Z"]], "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://stanton.house.gov/2024/7/as-phoenix-hits-record-high-temperatures-stanton-titus-introduce-legislation-improving-emergency-response-to-extreme-heat/510af417-6ba0-4e0f-afb2-4bb56069b8a7"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9744409471750259, "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"}