Fact Check: Texas lawmakers rejected critical emergency response legislation before deadly floods.

Fact Check: Texas Lawmakers Rejected Critical Emergency Response Legislation Before Deadly Floods

What We Know

In early 2025, Texas lawmakers considered a bill aimed at enhancing emergency response measures in the state. This legislation was designed to create a council to oversee and improve local disaster response systems, particularly in light of past emergencies such as Winter Storm Uri and the Uvalde shooting. The bill passed in the Texas House but ultimately failed in the Senate due to concerns about its cost and necessity (NPR, Texas Tribune).

Just months after this bill was rejected, Texas experienced deadly floods that raised questions about the adequacy of emergency response systems in affected areas, particularly Kerr County, where many residents reported not receiving timely warnings (NPR). Representative Joe Moody, one of the bill's sponsors, expressed disappointment that it took a tragedy for lawmakers to recognize the importance of such infrastructure (NPR).

Analysis

The claim that Texas lawmakers rejected critical emergency response legislation before the floods is supported by multiple sources. The legislation aimed to improve local disaster response capabilities and was deemed "critically important" by its proponents (NPR). The failure of the bill in the Senate was attributed to budgetary concerns and skepticism about the need for enhanced emergency measures (Texas Tribune, Marketplace).

Critically assessing the sources, NPR is a reputable news organization known for its journalistic integrity, providing a detailed account of the legislative process and the subsequent flooding. The Texas Tribune, another credible source, corroborated the failure of the bill and highlighted the ongoing discussions among lawmakers about emergency preparedness (Texas Tribune).

On the other hand, some sources, such as the article from People's World, may carry a more partisan tone, emphasizing the political implications of the rejection (People's World). However, the core facts regarding the bill's rejection and the timing relative to the floods remain consistent across sources.

Conclusion

The claim that Texas lawmakers rejected critical emergency response legislation before deadly floods is True. The evidence indicates that the legislation, which aimed to enhance emergency response systems, was indeed rejected shortly before the floods occurred, leading to significant consequences for affected communities.

Fact Check: Texas lawmakers rejected critical emergency response legislation before deadly floods.