Chuck Edwards (R-NC)
Disaster Survivors Fairness Act of 2025
A Republican bill with 7 Democratic cosponsors · See all 8 cosponsors
Last activity — Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E160-161)
Introduced, nothing more yet
Formally proposed, and not yet handed to a committee.
Nearly every bill is sent to a committee within days. Introduction alone is not a sign of support, of momentum, or of any likelihood of passing — any member may introduce any bill.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
What this bill would do
The Disaster Survivors Fairness Act of 2025 aims to improve individual assistance provided by FEMA. It establishes a unified disaster application system to streamline information sharing between federal agencies. The bill expands eligibility for repair and hazard mitigation assistance for damaged residences and infrastructure. It also introduces a state-managed housing pilot authority and improves rental assistance provisions. Additionally, the Act mandates several GAO reports to assess fraud, damage assessment accuracy, and assistance challenges.
Yes· 3 of 11
- Scored +5
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
The bill explicitly includes assistance for repairing residences rendered inaccessible to individuals with disabilities.
- Scored +5
Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities?
The bill expands repair assistance to include residences made inaccessible by a disaster for individuals with disabilities.
- Scored +4
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill expands eligibility for disaster repair assistance and improves rental assistance provisions.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
The bill allows the FEMA Administrator to waive certain information collection requirements, which could impact privacy.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Application Process: The establishment of a "unified disaster application system" is intended to help disaster assistance programs work more swiftly and efficiently (Section 2).
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Better Communication: The new system will allow applicants to receive status updates, update their information during recovery, and receive information about additional resources (Section 2).
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Expanded Repair Assistance: Assistance for repairs will now cover residences or infrastructure damaged by a major disaster, rather than only those rendered "uninhabitable" (Section 4).
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Hazard Mitigation Support: The President may provide financial assistance for cost-effective hazard mitigation measures to reduce threats to life and property for damaged residences, utilities, or infrastructure (Section 4).
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Direct Assistance for Those in Need: The bill allows for direct assistance for repairs when there is a lack of available resources for individuals or households (Section 5).
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Sheltering for First Responders: State, tribal, or local governments can be reimbursed for the costs of sheltering emergency response personnel and their households during a major disaster (Section 11).
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Rental Assistance Updates: The bill includes local post-disaster rent increases as part of accommodation provisions (Section 12).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Privacy and Data Risks: While the bill includes security requirements, the Administrator has the authority to waive certain information collection requirements upon declaring a major disaster (Section 2).
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Potential for Data Misuse: The bill allows the Administrator to permit other Federal agencies to use the unified disaster application system, which requires an agreement to ensure compliance with security policies (Section 2).
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Uncertainty in Information Collection: The GAO is tasked with reviewing the risks associated with the authority to waive information collection requirements, including potential effects on the consistent application of privacy and security laws (Section 2).
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 people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill explicitly includes assistance for repairing residences rendered inaccessible to individuals with disabilities. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill expands eligibility for disaster repair assistance and improves rental assistance provisions. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Expanded repair and mitigation assistance can help middle-income homeowners recover from disasters. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill mandates a study on the challenges of obtaining assistance in rural areas.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill expands repair assistance to include residences made inaccessible by a disaster for individuals with disabilities. Does this make housing cost less? — The bill expands eligibility for repair assistance and introduces a state-managed housing pilot authority. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Expanded disaster repair and mitigation assistance can help prevent households from falling deeper into poverty after a disaster.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill provides financial assistance for hazard mitigation measures to reduce future damage to residences and utilities. Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill mandates a GAO report specifically studying the challenges of public assistance in rural areas.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill streamlines disaster assistance processes which can assist small business owners in recovery.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill establishes an individual assistance dashboard and requires various GAO reports to ensure accountability. Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill allows the FEMA Administrator to waive certain information collection requirements, which could impact privacy.
- 8/29/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/17/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/25/2025
- Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E160-161)
- 2/18/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/12/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, and Small Business, 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.
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- 5 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.
Ed CaseDemocrat · Hawaii
Troy CarterDemocrat · Louisiana
Randy FeenstraRepublican · Iowa
Joe NeguseDemocrat · Colorado
Brad ShermanDemocrat · California
Dina TitusDemocrat · Nevada
Jill TokudaDemocrat · Hawaii
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia