Sponsors (2)
Requires 24-hour notice and creates a 14‑day expedited congressional override for certain Presidential denials of major-disaster declarations.
Official title: Provide for a procedure for Congress to carry out a reversal of a decision by the President not to declare a major disaster requested by the Governor of a State under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, and for other purposes.
Introduced April 29, 2026 by Michael F. Bennet · Last progress April 29, 2026
The bill gives states and localities a faster congressional pathway and quicker transparency to obtain disaster declarations when the President refuses, at the cost of reducing executive discretion, curtailing legislative deliberation, and increasing potential federal taxpayer liabilities.
Residents of disaster-affected states and their state and local governments gain a faster, more reliable route to secure a presidential major-disaster declaration when the President refuses despite FEMA's recommendation, because Congress can force consideration and the bill imposes strict deadlines and discharge procedures to speed resolution.
State governments, local officials, and taxpayers receive quicker transparency about refusals because the President must explain covered refusals to congressional leaders within 24 hours.
Taxpayers may face higher federal costs because expedited congressional declarations could increase federal spending obligations with limited time for full cost assessment.
The bill reduces presidential discretion over federal disaster declarations by giving Congress the power to override a refusal, shifting the balance of executive and legislative authority.
Disaster determinations could be rushed because expedited procedures limit debate, amendments, and committee scrutiny, increasing the risk of flawed or politically driven decisions.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates new transparency and fast-track congressional review when the President refuses a Governor's request for a major-disaster declaration. The bill defines a “covered refusal,” requires the President to notify Congressional leaders within 24 hours explaining the refusal, and creates a 14‑day window for Congress to force a declaration via an expedited, single-clause joint resolution with strict floor deadlines and limits on amendment or delay.