A Democratic bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 22 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill ensures that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) can keep running its disaster relief and recovery operations even if the government runs out of regular appropriations. It prohibits the diversion of money from the Disaster Relief Fund during a shutdown and labels FEMA operations as essential to protect human life and property. The legislation also requires FEMA to submit regular monthly reports on fund obligations and disbursements to Congress and make them available to the public. Additionally, the bill directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to conduct unmet housing needs assessments following major disasters. Finally, it creates a joint program with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to improve tornado detection and establishes a grant program for community tornado resilience.
Yes· 3 of 12
- Scored +9
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?
The bill ensures uninterrupted FEMA disaster relief operations during government shutdowns and protects the Disaster Relief Fund from diversion.
- Scored +6
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill mandates regular public reporting on Disaster Relief Fund obligations and disbursements on FEMA's website.
- Scored +5
Would children be better off under this?
The bill funds storm shelters in schools and improves tornado warning systems to protect children during severe weather.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2 ensures that FEMA will continue all disaster relief, recovery, and mitigation operations using the Disaster Relief Fund during a lapse in government appropriations. This is a positive outcome because it guarantees that Americans affected by disasters will not experience a pause in federal help due to budget gridlock in Washington.
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Section 5 mandates that FEMA report monthly on all disaster fund obligations and disbursements, and requires that these reports be made publicly available on FEMA's website within 10 days. This holds our elected officials and government agencies accountable by giving the public clear, transparent data on how relief money is being spent.
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Section 8 establishes a community tornado resilience grant program that prioritizes high-risk areas, underserved and low-income communities, and communities with limited access to existing warning systems or shelters. This provision directly benefits vulnerable populations by helping fund storm shelters, warning systems, and backup power where they are needed most.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- The provided text does not contain any specific sections or provisions that outline negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The bill funds storm shelters in schools and improves tornado warning systems to protect children during severe weather. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill prioritizes low-income and underserved communities for tornado resilience grants and disaster housing assessments. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill enhances tornado detection, warning systems, and storm shelter grants for high-risk and rural areas. Would students be better off under this? — The bill supports the construction of storm shelters in schools to protect students. Would farmers be better off under this? — The bill improves severe weather forecasting and tornado warnings that help agricultural and rural communities.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — The bill ensures uninterrupted FEMA disaster relief operations during government shutdowns and protects the Disaster Relief Fund from diversion. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill establishes programs to improve severe weather forecasting, tornado detection, and community preparedness. Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill provides grants for storm shelters and warning systems that benefit rural and high-risk communities.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — The bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development to assess housing shortages and recovery needs following major disasters. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill prioritizes grants for tornado resilience and storm shelters in low-income and underserved communities.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates regular public reporting on Disaster Relief Fund obligations and disbursements on FEMA's website.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill directs NOAA and FEMA to invest in next-generation radar, satellite sensors, and artificial intelligence forecasting models.
- 9/24/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 9/17/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 20 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Yassamin AnsariDemocrat · Arizona
Sanford BishopDemocrat · Georgia
Nikki BudzinskiDemocrat · Illinois
Troy CarterDemocrat · Louisiana
Cleo FieldsDemocrat · Louisiana
Lois FrankelDemocrat · Florida
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Robert GarciaDemocrat · California
Jeff HurdRepublican · Colorado
Henry JohnsonDemocrat · Georgia
Raja KrishnamoorthiDemocrat · Illinois
Kweisi MfumeDemocrat · Maryland
Frank MrvanDemocrat · Indiana
Jared MoskowitzDemocrat · Florida
Christian MenefeeDemocrat · Texas
Josh RileyDemocrat · New York
Brad ShermanDemocrat · California
Darren SotoDemocrat · Florida
Eric SorensenDemocrat · Illinois
Suhas SubramanyamDemocrat · Virginia
Jill TokudaDemocrat · Hawaii
Debbie Wasserman SchultzDemocrat · Florida