Last progress June 26, 2025 (5 months ago)
Introduced on June 26, 2025 by Ruben Gallego
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
This bill sets up a federal grant program to help police, firefighters, EMTs, and other first responders handle sudden spikes in the number of people who have recently entered the U.S. Grants can pay for gear, upkeep, and staff costs like salaries and overtime, plus filling in for workers pulled to emergency duty. Money can also cover other direct costs tied to these spikes, as approved by the Department of Homeland Security. At least one-quarter of the funds must go to agencies in states that border Canada or Mexico. The program bars using the money to reimburse costs for enforcing federal immigration laws. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will set rules, track spending, and report each year for five years on how funds were used. “Recently” generally means within the last four years from when a funding notice is posted.
FEMA must also improve performance measures and collect detailed financial data on awards, obligations, and spending to ensure funds are used as intended. Annual reports will include what operations were funded and explore whether multi-year grants would help. Congress may provide whatever funding is needed to run the program.