FEMA Independence Act of 2025

This bill would make FEMA an independent, cabinet-level agency that reports directly to the President. Its mission is to protect people and property from all kinds of disasters by leading national work to prepare, respond, rebuild, and reduce future risks. It also sets up 10 regional offices to serve communities across the country.

The FEMA Director would lead the federal disaster response, combine existing federal emergency plans into one National Response Plan, make sure first responders can talk to each other, keep the national coordination center running, plan to keep the government operating during crises, and oversee FEMA grants. All current FEMA work and staff would move into the new agency within one year, with help from the Department of Homeland Security during the change. Ongoing rules, grants, and court cases would continue without interruption, so services are not disrupted. Other laws and homeland security grant programs would be updated to match the new setup .

• Who is affected: Communities hit by disasters; State, local, and Tribal governments; first responders; and federal agencies that help during emergencies.
• What changes: FEMA becomes an independent department; a single National Response Plan replaces scattered federal plans; 10 regional offices support local needs; grants and legal references are updated to reflect the new structure .
• When: The transition must finish within one year after the law takes effect; many updates kick in when the transfer happens .