Al Green (D-TX)
Reforming Disaster Recovery Act
A Democratic bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Appropriations, 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 legislation creates the Reforming Disaster Recovery Act to establish a dedicated Long-Term Disaster Recovery Fund within the U.S. Treasury. It authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to provide grants through a community development block grant disaster recovery program for major disasters. The bill sets up a formula allocation method, public comment periods, and rules for how states, local governments, and Indian tribes can use the funds. It also creates an Office of Disaster Management and Resiliency within the Department of Housing and Urban Development to oversee preparedness and response. Finally, it outlines strict rules for financial controls, reporting, data sharing across agencies, and environmental reviews.
Yes· 3 of 11
- Scored +8
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill prioritizes the needs of extremely low-, low-, and moderate-income households in disaster recovery and housing transitions.
- Scored +7
Does this make housing cost less?
The bill specifically aims to increase the stock of affordable and rental housing through disaster recovery grants.
- Scored +5
Is this likely to lift people out of poverty?
The bill prioritizes assistance for extremely low-, low-, and moderate-income households to aid their recovery.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Assistance for Vulnerable Populations: Section 6 adds new requirements and definitions to prioritize individuals with extremely low, low, and moderate incomes, ensuring that a significant portion of grant funds are directed toward those with the most severe housing and community development needs.
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Preliminary Funding for Speedier Recovery: Section 6 (establishing Section 123(a)(7) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974) allows the Secretary to award preliminary grants of up to $5,000,000 before a formal catastrophic determination is made, helping communities quickly evaluate interim and permanent housing needs and reduce fraud.
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Disaster Mitigation and Risk Reduction: Section 6 (establishing Section 123(a)(5)(B)(iii) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974) provides an additional amount of up to 30 percent of unmet needs specifically for activities that reduce risks of loss from future natural disasters, focusing on protecting low- and moderate-income persons.
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Public Transparency and Oversight: Section 6 (establishing Section 123(e)(4) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974) requires the Secretary to post summary status reports on a public-facing dashboard, giving citizens clear visibility into the status of funds, spending thresholds, and accomplishments.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Grant Suspension for Missed Targets: Section 6 (establishing Section 123(e)(3) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974) grants the Secretary the authority to temporarily suspend grants if a recipient fails to meet critical performance targets and spending thresholds, which could delay ongoing relief efforts in distressed communities.
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Strict Duplication of Benefits Penalties: Section 6 (establishing Section 123(h)(4) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974) enforces strict penalties and repayment obligations for grantees or individuals if grant funds result in a prohibited duplication of benefits with other federal programs like FEMA.
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 households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill prioritizes the needs of extremely low-, low-, and moderate-income households in disaster recovery and housing transitions. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill includes provisions for the Secretary to consider the impact of formula methodologies on rural areas. Would people in cities be better off under this? — The bill provides resources for metropolitan cities to handle disaster-related housing and infrastructure needs. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The bill provides support for moderate-income households during the disaster recovery process.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — The bill specifically aims to increase the stock of affordable and rental housing through disaster recovery grants. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill prioritizes assistance for extremely low-, low-, and moderate-income households to aid their recovery.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this repair or build roads and bridges? — The bill provides funding for the restoration and mitigation of critical infrastructure in disaster-impacted areas. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill promotes mitigation and land use planning to reduce future risks from natural disasters.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill identifies that disaster recovery activities can create jobs within communities. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill supports economic revitalization in distressed areas following major disasters.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires grantees to maintain a publicly accessible website and post summary status reports on a public dashboard.
- 8/3/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/30/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/8/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/15/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Appropriations, 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.
- 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.
Judy ChuDemocrat · California
Joe NeguseDemocrat · Colorado
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan