Stanton Cofounds Extreme Heat Caucus, Introduces Bill Improving FEMA Response to Heat

U.S. Capitol

Representative Greg Stanton (D-AZ) has recently helped found the Congressional Extreme Heat Caucus and introduced accompanying legislation to improve the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) response to extreme heat.

The bipartisan Extreme Heat Caucus, founded by Rep. Stanton and Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY), aims to advance and coordinate federal-level solutions to extreme heat crises, including distributing resources and introducing legislation.

Rep. Stanton introduced the Extreme Weather and Heat Response Modernization Act with Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), which would improve FEMA's ability to respond to heat events in collaboration with state and local communities. This bill aims to establish cooling infrastructures for populations vulnerable to heat, such as seniors.

"Heat isn't just uncomfortable—as we know in Arizona, it can be deadly. Extreme heat is the number one weather-related cause of death in the U.S. It kills more people each year than hurricanes and tornadoes combined," the Arizona Congressman said in his press release, adding, "Federal authorities need to get ahead of this slow-moving natural disaster. I'm proud to be leading the charge in Congress with proactive legislation and by convening a bipartisan group of lawmakers to tackle this challenge head-on."

At the end of April, Stanton urged the Trump Administration to reverse proposed cuts to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which provides utility bill and air conditioning repair funds to low-income housing and emergency cooling support.

The cuts were to be made through a rescission package (canceling funds previously approved by Congress). Still, Stanton argued, "In the Arizona summers, when temperatures can climb well into the triple digits, this (LIHEAP) assistance is nothing short of life-saving."

"In Arizona, the program is already oversubscribed—just 5 percent of the population eligible by income is able to access LIHEAP funding," the Arizona Congressman added. "Congress appropriated $4.1 billion for LIHEAP for fiscal year (FY) 2025, and every dollar is important to continue this program. We demand you to continue this life-saving program at its full, Congressionally approved amount."

Grayson Bakich

Florida born and raised, Grayson Bakich is a recent recipient of a Master’s Degree in Political Science at the University of Central Florida. His thesis examined recent trends in political polarization and how this leads into justification of violence.