Ashley Hinson has consistently made disaster response and recovery—especially for extreme weather events like floods, tornadoes, and the derecho—a top legislative priority, advocating for federal resources, improved preparedness, and stronger community resilience (Gazette, 8/10/21; Gazette, 4/11/23).
Hinson has worked in a bipartisan fashion to strengthen disaster mitigation, including introducing federal legislation to improve flood and drought preparedness, pressing for updated FEMA flood maps, and supporting conservation programs for risk reduction (Gazette, 6/22/21; Globe Gazette, 6/9/23).
She has secured or advocated for federal funding on numerous local projects, such as $1.62 million for Cedar Rapids flood control and $262,500 for a Jackson County Emergency Operations Center, and actively highlighted the economic value of flood mitigation investments (Daily Nonpareil, 6/6/24; Telegraph Herald, 7/4/21).
Hinson has identified gaps in federal disaster response systems, calling for more transparency from FEMA, improved reimbursement for local governments, and addressing technical failures in weather alert systems, particularly after notable delays during the 2022 tornadoes (Gazette, 8/10/21; Des Moines Register, 3/16/22).
Potential vulnerabilities exist, such as Hinson's opposition to the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act—which contained significant new federal funds for flood mitigation and disaster preparedness—even as she has championed disaster response at the local level (Gazette, 6/9/23).
2021: Ashley Hinson Made Disaster Recovery a Top Priority in Congress According to an opinion piece by Ashley Hinson in Gazette, "It is a top priority for me to ensure that our community has the resources to rebuild fully from this disaster and that we are better prepared for another extreme weather event in the future." [Ashley Hinson - Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 8/10/21]
2021: Ashley Hinson Advocated for USDA Disaster Mitigation Efforts for Iowa According to an opinion piece by Ashley Hinson in Gazette, "And I've worked in a bipartisan manner to direct the USDA to use the lessons we've learned from previous disasters to help our agriculture community with mitigation efforts." [Ashley Hinson - Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 8/10/21]
2021: Ashley Hinson Pledged Ongoing Commitment to Disaster Recovery for Iowans According to an opinion piece by Ashley Hinson in Gazette, "But I can promise that I will be there through every step of the recovery process and do everything in my power to ensure we are better prepared, and that our community is more resilient, as we go forward together." [Ashley Hinson - Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 8/10/21]
2024: Ashley Hinson Requested $1.62 Million For Cedar Rapids Flood Control Power Backup According to Sioux City Journal, "Hinson requested the money to help the city of Cedar Rapids prevent electrical failures of the pump station during severe flooding, bringing it into Federal Emergency Management Agency compliance and protecting homes and businesses." [Sioux City Journal, 6/6/24]
2024: Ashley Hinson Requested $1.62 Million For Cedar Rapids Flood Control Power Redundancy According to Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, "Hinson requested the money to help the city of Cedar Rapids prevent electrical failures of the pump station during severe flooding, bringing it into Federal Emergency Management Agency compliance and protecting homes and businesses." [Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier (IA), 6/6/24]
2020: Lorin Potter Accused Ashley Hinson of Politicizing Disaster Relief According to a letter to the editor published in Des Moines Register, "Hinson couldn't resist politicizing the disaster for her own gain. [...] Hinson joined a meaningless photo op with the president, where he again made promises and immediately broke them. And when Finkenauer released a TV ad highlighting resources for Iowans in need, Hinson responded with her own ad - mixing images of storm damage with video of her playing violin." [Letter to the Editor - Des Moines Register, 9/2/20]
September 2020: Ashley Hinson Helped With Derecho Relief Efforts In Cedar Rapids According to Iowa City Press-Citizen, 'Iowa Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Marion, left, and U.S. Rep. Abby Finkenauer, D-Cedar Rapids, helped with derecho relief efforts in Cedar Rapids.' [Iowa City Press-Citizen (Iowa), 9/9/20]
October 2020: Hinson Characterized Pandemic And Derecho As A 'One-Two Punch' To Families According to Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, '"The pandemic and the derecho have been a one-two punch hitting families really hard," Hinson said at the center housed in the former service bay of the McGrath Ford car dealership in Cedar Rapids.' [Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, 10/20/20]
August 2020: Ashley Hinson Addressed Derecho Disaster Needs With President Trump In Cedar Rapids According to Muscatine Journal, 'When Trump visited Cedar Rapids, Hinson was among elected officials who spoke to him about community needs.' [Muscatine Journal (Iowa), 11/3/20]
January 2021: Ashley Hinson Supported Targeted COVID-19 Relief And Derecho Recovery Aid According to Gazette, "1st District U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson continued her call for targeted coronavirus pandemic relief and support for derecho recovery." [Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 1/29/21]
January 2021: Ashley Hinson Met With Local Officials On Derecho Recovery Efforts According to Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, "Hinson also met with officials from Cedar Rapids and other cities about federal issues, including derecho recovery." [Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier (IA), 2/1/21]
2021: Ashley Hinson Worked to Secure Federal Support for Flood Mitigation According to an opinion piece by Ashley Hinson in Gazette, "I'm looking at every federal option to bring flood mitigation resources to our district." [Ashley Hinson - Gazette, 6/22/21]
March 2022: Ashley Hinson Sought Explanation For Tornado Alert Delays According to The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), "First District Rep. Ashley Hinson and 3rd District Rep. Cindy Axne are asking the weather service for an explanation of a communications system malfunction that led to delays in critical alerts to the public March 5. Some warnings didn't reach the public until nine minutes after they were issued." [The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 3/18/22]
March 2022: Hinson Collaborated With Cindy Axne To Address NWS Alert Delays According to The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), "So she teamed with Axne, a Des Moines Democrat, to seek answers about the delays in alerting the public to the tornadoes, which killed seven people. The agency has blamed technical issue in its Dallas-Fort Worth office." [The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 3/18/22]
March 2022: Hinson Worked With State Officials On Disaster Assessment According to The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), "In the meantime, Hinson said she is working with Gov. Kim Reynolds' office on assessments to determine whether the damage meets thresholds for federal disaster relief. Hinson said she's also been in contact with mayors and local emergency management directors." [The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 3/18/22]
March 2022: Hinson And Axne Requested Explanation For Iowa Tornado Alert Delays According to Globe Gazette, "First District Rep. Ashley Hinson and 3rd District Rep. Cindy Axne are asking the weather service for an explanation of a communications system malfunction that led to delays in critical alerts to the public March 5." [Globe Gazette, 3/18/22]
March 2022: Hinson Collaborated With Axne To Urge National Weather Service Action According to Globe Gazette, "So she teamed with Axne, a Des Moines Democrat, to seek answers to the delays in alerting the public to the tornadoes that resulted in the loss of seven lives. The agency has blamed technical issue in its Dallas-Fort Worth office." [Globe Gazette, 3/18/22]
March 2022: Hinson Worked With State Officials On Disaster Assessments According to Globe Gazette, "In the meantime, she continues to work with Gov. Kim Reynolds' office on assessments to determine whether the damage meets thresholds for federal disaster relief. Hinson also has been in contact with mayors and local emergency management directors since the morning after the storms." [Globe Gazette, 3/18/22]
March 2022: Ashley Hinson Toured Cedar Rapids Flood Mitigation Projects And Highlighted Progress According to The Gazette, 'U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson said Monday after touring Army Corps of Engineer projects from Shaver Road to Otis Road.' [Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 3/21/22]
March 2022: Ashley Hinson Identified Funding Gap In Cedar Rapids Flood Project Due To Rising Costs According to The Gazette, ''So something that I'll take back to Washington with me is that, 'Hey, there is going to be an additional need,' said Hinson, who sits on the House Appropriations and Budget committees. 'Everything costs more right now and these projects are not immune to cost increases. We have to have the conversation about that.'' [Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 3/21/22]
March 2022: Ashley Hinson Cited Cedar Rapids Project As Model Of Government And Private Sector Cooperation According to The Gazette, 'Hinson cited the project as an example of what can be accomplished when the public and private sectors as well as federal, state and local governments work together to meet the community's needs "in a way where they continue to preserve things that make our community unique."' [Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 3/21/22]
August 2022: Hinson Emphasized Priority On Flood Mitigation In Congress According to Telegraph Herald, 'A lot of my priority in Congress has been on flood mitigation and trying to make sure my colleagues understand the investments and how those can be really proactive,' Hinson said, after her tour. [Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA), 8/9/22]
June 2023: Hinson Cited Conservation Practices As Key Flood Mitigation Tools According to Globe Gazette, "Flooding and drought are major challenges for American agriculture, Hinson told reporters Friday. Conservation practices, she said, are a critical component of efforts to mitigate risks associated with flooding. None of the five major USDA conservation programs, though, specifically mention flood prevention or mitigation." [Globe Gazette, 6/9/23]
June 2023: Hinson Highlighted Importance Of Flooding As A Natural Resource Concern According to Globe Gazette, "Hinson said elevating flooding as a natural resource concern within RCCP ensures flood mitigation, prevention and resiliency become a long-term priority for the program in helping communities secure resources protect themselves from flooding." [Globe Gazette, 6/9/23]
June 2023: Hinson Pledged Continued Advocacy For Conservation Approaches According to Globe Gazette, '"It's a good program that has proven effective and a good return on investment for taxpayers, and that's why I'll continue to advocate for this kind of an approach using existing programs and resources to make sure those dollars get to where they need to go," said Hinson.' [Globe Gazette, 6/9/23]
March 2024: Ashley Hinson Spoke At Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony For Cedar Rapids Floodgate According to Gazette, "U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, speaks before a Thursday ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new 12th Avenue SE floodgate in Cedar Rapids." [Gazette, 3/28/24]
2024: Ashley Hinson Requested $1.62 Million For Cedar Rapids Flood Control Power Project According to Daily Nonpareil, "Hinson requested the money to help the city of Cedar Rapids prevent electrical failures of the pump station during severe flooding, bringing it into Federal Emergency Management Agency compliance and protecting homes and businesses." [Daily Nonpareil, 6/6/24]
August 2022: Hinson Advocated Support For Community-Benefiting Flood Mitigation According to Telegraph Herald, Hinson said, 'I think what is encouraging after the conversations today, is you can, not only invest in flood mitigation, but you can do it in ways that really benefit your community. These projects are great examples for how to do this and make a measurable impact on water management.' [Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA), 8/9/22]
August 2022: Hinson Expressed Confidence In Securing Colleagues' Support For Bee Branch Projects According to Telegraph Herald, Hinson said, 'Dubuque has proven the results of the Bee Branch Creek projects enough for her to be confident in securing colleagues' support in Congress.' [Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA), 8/9/22]
Ashley Hinson Advocated Flood Mitigation As Economic Investment According to Gazette, "Every dollar spent (on flood mitigation) in many cases … returns $7 to $10 in economic return," Hinson said. "Case in point, obviously, is what's happening in downtown Cedar Rapids with those flood mitigation dollars and flood infrastructure going in there" and the investment that's occurring "because people know that their land and their businesses are going to be protected." [Gazette, 6/9/23]
Expansion Of FEMA’s Emergency Food And Shelter Program To Support Migrants Began In 2019 Under Trump According to The Gazette, "That effort, however, started in 2019 during the Trump administration. As illegal immigration ticked up, Congress passed legislation authorizing FEMA to expand its Emergency Food and Shelter Program, which previously had been used only for people facing homelessness and hunger, to include migrant support services. FEMA gave federal money to local government, nonprofit, and faith-based organizations that provide food, shelter and supportive services to migrants officials have released into the U.S. to await court proceedings." [Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 10/9/24]
2017: Hinson Expressed Concern Over Initial Flood Center Budget Cut According to Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 'I would say when I first saw that line item zeroed out, it did make me nervous,' Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Marion, said in an email Thursday. [Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 4/14/17]
2017: Hinson Advocated For Flood Center Funding Restoration According to Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 'I do know the value of the Flood Center to Cedar Rapids and Linn County and immediately started having those conversations about its importance to our area, specifically with our budget chairs and other appropriations committee members,' Hinson said. [Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 4/14/17]
2017: Hinson Explained Solution To Restore Flood Center Funding According to Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 'The solution we found was based on trying to balance our priorities with a tough budget year,' Hinson said. 'It was also my understanding that the Flood Center was a “priority” for the University of Iowa, which is why we felt it appropriate to essentially have them share in funding it. I’m happy we were able to find a solution within our current budget constraints.' [Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 4/14/17]
January 2021: Ashley Hinson Addressed FEMA Funding Concerns For Iowa City Officials According to Gazette, "While city officials in Cedar Rapids and other communities are confident they will get federal assistance for derecho recovery, 'obviously, they're not going to get everything reimbursed from FEMA,' Hinson said." [Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 1/29/21]
January 2021: Ashley Hinson Noted Concerns About FEMA Reimbursement For Municipal Derecho Costs According to Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, 'While city officials in Cedar Rapids and other communities are confident they will get federal assistance for derecho recovery, "obviously, they're not going to get everything reimbursed from FEMA," Hinson said.' [Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier (IA), 2/1/21]
Hinson Secured $262,500 For Jackson County Emergency Operations Center In 2021 According to Telegraph Herald, 'Hinson also announced getting a $262,500 allocation included in a Homeland Security funding bill for the construction of an emergency operations center for Jackson County.' [Telegraph Herald, 7/4/21]
August 2022: Hinson Toured Dubuque's Bee Branch Flood Mitigation Projects According to Telegraph Herald, "U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, visited Dubuque on Monday for a tour of the marquee flood mitigation projects the City of Dubuque has completed in the Bee Branch Creek Watershed." [Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA), 8/9/22]
April 2023: Ashley Hinson Committed To Advocating For Flood Mitigation Funding For Cedar Rapids According to Gazette, "U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, a Marion Republican, said she plans to continue advocating in Congress for investments in flood mitigation measures." [Gazette, 4/11/23]
June 2023: Ashley Hinson Introduced Bipartisan Flood Mitigation Bill In Congress According to Gazette, "Iowa Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, of Marion, introduced a bipartisan bill to improve flood and drought mitigation through existing federal conservation programs. Introduced along with Democratic Illinois U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, of Moline, the bill seeks to provide communities with resources to protect against flooding, by amending the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Regional Conservation Partnership Program to support practices that mitigate the effect of flooding and drought, or improve and expand flood resiliency." [Gazette, 6/9/23]
June 2023: Hinson Introduced Bipartisan Flood Mitigation Bill According to Globe Gazette, "Iowa Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, of Marion, introduced a bipartisan bill to improve flood and drought mitigation through existing federal conservation programs. Introduced along with Democratic Illinois U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, of Moline, the bill seeks to provide communities with resources to protect against flooding, by amending the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Regional Conservation Partnership Program to support practices that mitigate the effect of flooding and drought, or improve and expand flood resiliency." [Globe Gazette, 6/9/23]
2021: Ashley Hinson Called on FEMA to Improve Individual Assistance Transparency According to an opinion piece by Ashley Hinson in Gazette, "I've called on FEMA to address these issues, and secured bipartisan language directing the agency to be more transparent about its Individual Assistance program so that Iowans can receive clear answers and relief instead of running into a wall of red tape." [Ashley Hinson - Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 8/10/21]
2021: Ashley Hinson Raised Concerns to FEMA Administrator During House Appropriations Hearing According to an opinion piece by Ashley Hinson in Gazette, "During a House Appropriations Committee hearing in March with then-Acting FEMA Administrator Bob Fenton, I raised concerns about the agency's failures to adequately respond to the derecho. Within hours of the exchange, FEMA announced a $9 million federal grant for debris removal in Marion and a $2.5 million grant for debris removal in Cedar Rapids." [Ashley Hinson - Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 8/10/21]
Ashley Hinson Opposed 2021 Infrastructure Act With Flood Mitigation Funds According to Gazette, "Hinson, who voted against the $1.2 trillion bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, which included $34.7 billion to enhance flood mitigation, resilience and disaster preparedness programs in the U.S." [Gazette, 6/9/23]
2021: Ashley Hinson Advocated for Flood Mitigation in Disaster Recovery According to an opinion piece by Ashley Hinson in Gazette, "As we continue to repair previous damage, we must rebuild in a way that makes our community more resilient." [Ashley Hinson - Gazette, 6/22/21]
March 2022: Ashley Hinson Jointly Pressed National Weather Service For Answers On Tornado Warning Delays According to Des Moines Register, "In a joint letter, U.S. Reps. Cindy Axne, a Democrat from West Des Moines, and Ashley Hinson, a Marion Republican, asked National Weather Service Acting Director Mary Erickson to list 'specific steps the NWS intends to take to fix these issues going forward.' They also asked Erickson to share more information about what caused the delays." [Des Moines Register, 3/16/22]
March 2022: Ashley Hinson Warned That Delayed Weather Alerts Put Iowans At Risk According to Des Moines Register, "Our constituents rely on the NWS to provide prompt and accurate weather alerts to know when to seek shelter and take other potentially life-saving precautions," Axne and Hinson wrote in the letter. "Delays of even just minutes can be the difference between life and death." [Des Moines Register, 3/16/22]
March 2022: Ashley Hinson Called For Addressing Technical Problems In Weather Alert Systems According to Des Moines Register, "As storms become increasingly unpredictable, quick and accurate weather alerts become even more critical," Axne and Hinson wrote. "We cannot allow Iowans to be in danger because of technical problems that continue to go unaddressed." [Des Moines Register, 3/16/22]
March 2022: Hinson Urged Prompt Congressional Response To Weather Alert System Issues According to The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), "Noting that it's severe weather season in Iowa, Hinson said she wants answers 'sooner rather than later … to make sure we are finding out exactly where the breakdowns happen in the communication on their end.' Then, she said, Congress can develop proposals to address the problem." [The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA), 3/18/22]
March 2022: Hinson Urged Prompt Communication Problem Investigation According to Globe Gazette, "Noting that it's severe weather season in Iowa, Hinson wants answers 'sooner rather than later … to make sure we are finding out exactly where the breakdowns happen in the communication on their end.' Then, Congress can develop proposals to address the problem, she said." [Globe Gazette, 3/18/22]
March 2022: Hinson Stressed Need For Effective Tornado Warning Tools According to Globe Gazette, "'For us in the Midwest, we know how dangerous tornadoes can be,' Hinson said. 'So I want to make sure everybody has the tools to effectively warn their communities.'" [Globe Gazette, 3/18/22]
2021: Ashley Hinson Addressed Need for Updated FEMA Flood Maps in Iowa According to an opinion piece by Ashley Hinson in Gazette, "Additionally, I am working to ensure that federal flood maps are accurately updated. These maps show the flood risk associated with a property and determine if an owner needs flood insurance. But in our district, the majority of flood maps — 64 percent — are out of date." [Ashley Hinson - Gazette, 6/22/21]