Sponsors (4)
The bill keeps FEMA disaster response and payments running through funding gaps—protecting survivors, responders, and recovery work—at the cost of higher federal outlays, reduced congressional oversight, and increased risks to DRF balances and other programs.
Disaster survivors (low-income individuals, homeowners, renters) and whole communities (rural and urban) will continue to receive FEMA disaster assistance, individual payments, and recovery services during government funding lapses, reducing immediate hardship and speeding recovery.
State and local governments and emergency responders can access Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) resources and FEMA support during shutdowns so response, recovery, and infrastructure restoration continue without interruption.
Federal emergency personnel and contractors can remain funded and operational during lapses, preserving claims/payment processing capacity and enabling lifesaving operations to continue without pause.
Taxpayers will face continued federal outlays during appropriations lapses (including paying personnel and contracts), increasing short-term deficit exposure and shifting budgetary pressure to future appropriations or emergency transfers.
Congressional oversight and leverage over FEMA/DRF spending will be reduced during funding lapses, meaning spending can occur without the same real-time review or prioritization by elected representatives.
Allowing obligations to continue for future disaster declarations risks depleting Disaster Relief Fund balances, leaving fewer resources available for new catastrophes.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Allows FEMA to use Disaster Relief Fund balances and continue disaster operations during federal funding lapses, exempting those activities from shutdown restrictions.
Introduced October 21, 2025 by Wesley Bell · Last progress October 21, 2025
Authorizes the FEMA Administrator to continue disaster relief, recovery, and mitigation operations and to obligate and disburse balances from the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) during any lapse in annual appropriations. It allows FEMA to keep personnel and contractors needed for claims and payments processing and bars withholding, sequestering, or reprogramming of DRF monies during funding lapses except as required by the Anti‑Deficiency Act, treating these FEMA activities as essential for protecting life and property.