Sponsors (42)
The bill directs Congress to rebuild FEMA's permanent workforce to improve disaster response and program administration, trading higher federal spending, some loss of surge staffing flexibility, and potential political friction for faster, more reliable emergency response and stronger oversight.
People in disaster-prone communities (e.g., rural areas and coastal States) and first responders would get faster, more effective federal disaster response because Congress is directed to ensure FEMA has sufficient trained permanent staff.
Taxpayers, program beneficiaries, and oversight bodies would benefit from better administration of FEMA programs (such as the NFIP and counterterrorism grants), reduced payment errors, and increased accountability if GAO's high‑risk designation spurs congressional attention and funding to address chronic staffing shortages.
Taxpayers would likely face higher federal costs if Congress provides additional funding to rehire or expand permanent FEMA staff to address shortfalls.
FEMA and state governments may lose some rapid staffing flexibility during sudden crises if the effort emphasizes restoring permanent employees over relying on surge contractors and temporary hires.
Attributing staffing reductions to the prior administration could politicize oversight and slow bipartisan action to stabilize FEMA, delaying needed fixes.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Records congressional findings that FEMA has a large staffing shortfall and urges that Congress ensure FEMA has adequate personnel and resources.
Official title: Condemning Federal workforce reductions that undermine preparedness, response, and recovery, and expressing concern regarding proposed future staffing cuts to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Introduced February 3, 2026 by Bennie Thompson · Last progress February 3, 2026
States findings that FEMA faces chronic staffing shortfalls and recent steep declines that threaten its ability to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate disasters. The resolution cites GAO reporting of a roughly 35% staffing gap, attributes recent departures to actions by the Trump Administration and DHS/FEMA personnel decisions, and affirms Congress’s responsibility to ensure FEMA has adequate personnel and resources. Highlights the importance of experienced FEMA staff for programs such as the National Flood Insurance Program and homeland security grant programs, and warns that contemplated further reductions would harm disaster response and recovery for recent and ongoing disasters like Hurricane Helene, Central Texas flooding, and California wildfires.