Emergency Management

HR 5780: Federal Emergency Management Continuity Act of 2025

Federal Emergency Management Continuity Act of 2025

This bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to continue using certain funds in the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) during a lapse in appropriations (i.e., government shutdown).

Specifically, FEMA must continue obligating and disbursing funds in the DRF that were appropriated before the lapse in appropriations and remain available to be expended. The funds may be used for any disaster relief, emergency assistance, and recovery program authorized under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, including individual assistance, public assistance, and other disbursements and obligations for programs or activities necessary to protect life and property during a lapse in appropriations.

The bill also requires employees who are necessary to carry out these disbursements or related program activities to be treated as excepted employees under the Anti-Deficiency Act. (Excepted employees are required to work during a lapse in appropriations.) The bill also prohibits these employees from being subject to a furlough or a reduction in force due to a lapse in appropriations. 

Sponsors

Jared Moskowitz (D) FL

Cosponsors

Troy Carter (D) LA

Introduced on
Friday, October 17th, 2025

HR 5648: Disaster Relief Continuity Act of 2025

Disaster Relief Continuity Act of 2025

This bill provides appropriations to continue certain disaster relief programs and activities during a government shutdown in FY2026.

Specifically, the bill provides appropriations to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for any period during FY2026 in which interim or full-year appropriations are not in effect (i.e., a government shutdown). The bill provides the appropriations for carrying out certain activities under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, including

  • providing financial and operational support for declared major disasters and emergencies, including individual assistance, direct aid, and necessary life-saving and life-sustaining activities;
  • covering the salaries and expenses of essential FEMA personnel directly involved in disaster response, recovery, mitigation; and grant disbursement; and
  • continuing payments and grants for existing, federally-funded disaster recovery projects.

The funds provided by this bill are available until the earlier of (1) the enactment into law of specified appropriations legislation, or (2) January 1, 2027.

The funds may not be used for or nonessential administrative functions, new policy development, or nondisaster-related training or travel.

Sponsors

Tim Moore (R) NC

Cosponsors

Chuck Edwards (R) NC

Introduced on
Tuesday, September 30th, 2025

HRES 711: Honoring the victims of Hurricane Helene and expressing condolences and support for the affected communities in western North Carolina, specifically North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District, 1 year after the hurricane made landfall in the State on September 27, 2024.

Sponsors

Chuck Edwards (R) NC

Cosponsors

Virginia Foxx (R) NC, Deborah Ross (D) NC, Gregory Murphy (R) NC, Alma Adams (D) NC, Pat Harrigan (R) NC, Addison McDowell (R) NC, Tim Moore (R) NC, Brad Knott (R) NC, David Rouzer (R) NC, Richard Hudson (R) NC, Donald Davis (D) NC, Valerie Foushee (D) NC, Mark Harris (R) NC

Introduced on
Monday, September 15th, 2025