Senate approves decree recognizing calamity in Rio Grande do Sul

The Senate approved this Tuesday (7) the Legislative Decree Project (PDL) 236/2024, sent by the federal government, which recognizes the state of calamity in Rio Grande do Sul until December 31, 2024. The measure has already been approved by the Chamber of Deputies and will be forwarded for presidential promulgation.

The decree allows the limits and deadlines set out in the Fiscal Responsibility Law to be suspended, facilitating and accelerating the transfer of federal resources to the state affected by floods, in the biggest climate crisis in its history. Money used for this purpose will also not be subject to commitment limitations.

The measure also allows Rio Grande do Sul and its municipalities to expand credit operations and receive voluntary transfers.

The number of municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul affected by heavy rains reaches 401, and 95 deaths resulting from the storms have already been confirmed. The number of missing people in the state reached 131 and the number of displaced people exceeded 159 thousand.

Emotion

Solidarity moves senator Paulo Paim – Lula Marques/Agência Brasil

When reading the opinion on the project, Senator Paulo Paim (PT-RS) was moved, remembering the victims and the solidarity of those who are helping to save people. “It is a general solidarity, without differences of class, color or race. Everyone trying to help everyone”, said the parliamentarian from Rio Grande do Sul, thanking the support of other states in the country.

At the beginning of the session, senators observed a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the tragedy.

“The strength and historical resilience of the people of Rio Grande do Sul, admirable and recognized, will be the mainstay of overcoming this immense adversity. Reconstruction will be arduous, but you [gaúchos] they will not be alone. The Federal Senate, as the house of the federation, will walk side by side with each gaucho seeking all possible resources to help them”, said the president of the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD-MG).

External commission

An external representative committee of the Senate was installed today to centralize requests for bills and constitutional amendments of interest to Rio Grande Sul following the floods in the state. The commission will be made up of three senators from Rio Grande do Sul and five more senators nominated by the parties.