Tom Barrett (R-MI)
Improving Disaster Assistance for Veterans Act
A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
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, known as the "Improving Disaster Assistance for Veterans Act," aims to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. It directs the President to designate a Veteran Advocate within the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This advocate is tasked with ensuring veterans receive fair treatment during the provision of assistance. The role involves participating in disaster and emergency declaration processes to address veteran needs. Additionally, the advocate will serve as a contact for veterans service organizations and look for ways to increase veteran employment within the agency.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +7
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
The bill directly creates a specialized role to advocate for veterans' needs during disasters and expand their employment opportunities.
- Scored +6
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?
The bill improves FEMA's ability to address the specific needs of veterans during disaster declarations.
- Scored +5
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?
The bill enhances disaster relief equity for veterans through a designated advocate.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Fair Treatment of Veterans: The bill establishes a Veteran Advocate to act as an advocate for the fair treatment of veterans when they are receiving assistance under the Act (Section 2(a)(b)).
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Addressing Specific Needs during Disasters: The advocate is required to participate in the disaster and emergency declaration processes to ensure the needs of veterans are being addressed (Section 2(a)(c)(1)).
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Improved Communication: The position serves as a primary point of contact between veterans service organizations and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Section 2(a)(c)(2)).
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Employment Opportunities: The advocate will work to identify opportunities to expand veteran recruitment for Federal Emergency Management Agency employment, including reservist positions (Section 2(a)(c)(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are identified within the provided text.
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 veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill directly creates a specialized role to advocate for veterans' needs during disasters and expand their employment opportunities.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — The bill improves FEMA's ability to address the specific needs of veterans during disaster declarations.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill enhances disaster relief equity for veterans through a designated advocate.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill aims to identify opportunities for expanded veteran recruitment and employment within FEMA.
- 12/9/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/31/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/18/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- 7/17/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- 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.
Laura GillenDemocrat · New York
Joe NeguseDemocrat · Colorado