Senators Coons, Murkowski, Representatives Peters, Salazar reintroduce bipartisan bill to reinforce federal response to climate hazards

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Scott Peters (D-Calif.), and María Salazar (R-Fla.) reintroduce the National Coordination on Resilience for Security (NCRS) Act of 2026. The NCRS Act establishes a federal response to climate hazards that threaten communities, businesses, and national security. “We can’t leave Americans to face extreme weather events – from winter storms to weeks of record-high heat – alone,” said Senator Coons . “As the lowest-lying state in the nation, Delaware is no stranger to how climate change can impact homes and businesses. This bill will create a national, coordinated strategy to bring together government and the private sector to protect communities, our economy, and our national security from the potentially devastating effects of climate change.” “Alaskan communities continue to face an increasing number of damaging natural disasters, including catastrophic flooding, coastal erosion, severe storms, landslides, wildfires, earthquakes, volcanic activity, and permafrost thaw. Over the past year alone, communities across our state have endured multiple disasters that damaged critical infrastructure, disrupted essential services, and put lives at risk,” said Senator Murkowski . “I’m glad to once again partner on bipartisan, bi-cameral legislation to develop and implement a unified National Resilience Strategy, with input from federal, state, Tribal, local, and private-sector partners. Alaska’s unique geography and exposure to every type of natural hazard underscore the need for a coordinated federal approach that helps communities prepare for, adapt to, and recover from disasters more effectively.” “San Diegans know first-hand the consequences of climate change, from destructive wildfires and prolonged drought to dangerous heat waves and rising seas that threaten our coastline. My constituents can’t afford more delays,” Representative Peters said . “The NCRS Act would streamline resources, improve coordination, and hold agencies accountable so we can better prepare for and respond to the growing climate threats our communities face. I’m glad to once again have bicameral, bipartisan support as we move this commonsense legislation forward.” “Miami is ground zero for rising waters, and our neighborhoods cannot afford more delay. Every year we wait to plan for natural disasters, the costs go up and the damage gets worse,” said Representative Salazar . “That’s why I’m proud to co-lead the National Coordination on Resilience for Security (NCRS) Act. This legislation will help us build stronger infrastructure, improve coordination across the federal government, and keep our people safe for generations to come.” The NCRS Act would: Implement a national adaptation and resilience strategy and an implementation plan with federal, state, local, private sector, and non-profit partners Establish a Chief Resilience Officer in the White House to enforce the plan Create interagency working groups to streamline efforts and ensure accountability Institute a federal information hub to streamline resilience resources to communities This legislation is in response to the increasing prominence of weather-related catastrophes in Delaware and across the nation. Since 1980, Delaware has recorded 35 climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion dollars each. In the United States, a reported $217.8 billion was spent in 2024 responding to natural disaster damages. 2024 was the 14th consecutive year with 10 or more separate billion-dollar-related disaster events. As the climate crisis continues, these numbers are only expected to continue rising. According to FEMA, each dollar invested in resilience saves roughly six dollars when disaster strikes. Delaware’s shorelines are especially vulnerable to slow-onset climate hazards like sea level rising and coastal floodings. Especially during the summer months, we must be prepared to respond to weather-related disasters. Senator Coons has been a stark advocate for making Delaware a hub of new, clean energy technology that will create jobs and keep costs down for families while reducing emissions. In 2023, Senator Coons secured $750 million for the Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub that produces cleaner and cheaper energy for Delaware. Senator Coons also founded the Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation in 2022 to accelerate innovative clean energy technology to combat the climate crisis. This bill was also introduced in 2023 and 2022 . The bill is supported by the Woodwell Climate Research Center, the Alliance for Global Water Adaptation, the American Flood Coalition Action, the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, the American Public Works Association (APWA), the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, City Parks Alliance, the Environmental Council of the States, the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), the Federation of American Scientists, the Geos Institute, the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, the International Code Council, Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative, the National Association of Counties, the National Association of Flood and Stormwater Management Agencies, the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, the National Recreation and Park Association, the Reinsurance Association of America, Taxpayers for Common Sense, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), The Pew Charitable Trusts, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Union of Concerned Scientists, World Wildlife Fund. Read a one-pager of the bill here . Read a section-by-section summary of the bill here . Read the full text of the bill here .