Congresswoman Kiggans Legislation To Promote Safe Beaches Passes With Bipartisan Support
This week, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) announced the House passage of her bill, H.R. 5063, the Safe Beaches, Safe Swimmers Act, which passed the House by voice. This bill would direct the Secretary of the Interior to work with local governments to ensure there is proper lifeguard coverage in the event of a lifeguard shortage.
Congresswoman Kiggans said, “As the representative of a coastal district, keeping our beaches safe for the families who live here and the millions of people who visit them every year is incredibly important to me. Last summer, communities on Virginia’s Eastern Shore were forced to step up when a federal lifeguard shortage left Chincoteague without the assurance our families deserve. Our local leaders did the right thing, but they should never be left scrambling to solve a federal staffing problem or pay the bill to keep a federal beach safe.
“The Safe Beaches, Safe Swimmers Act provides a commonsense solution by allowing the Department of the Interior to partner with local governments when lifeguard shortages occur and ensuring those communities are reimbursed for the costs they take on. I’m incredibly proud to see this bipartisan bill pass the House today, and I want to thank Mayor Denise Bowden and our local leaders on the Eastern Shore for working with us to turn a challenge we experienced at home into a solution that can help keep families safe at federal beaches across the country.”
“Families visiting America’s vast federal beaches and swimming areas should be able to count on properly staffed shores. H.R. 5063 allows the Department of the Interior to partner with local governments during lifeguard shortages and guarantees those communities are reimbursed for the costs they incur, ensuring federal responsibilities are not shifted to local taxpayers. I commend Rep. Kiggans for developing a practical solution that strengthens visitor safety and supports the coastal communities in Virginia welcoming millions of Americans each year,” said Chairman Bruce Westerman.
Watch Rep. Kiggans’ speech from the House Floor here.
