Congressman Carter, Moskowitz Introduce Bill to Maintain FEMA Assistance During Federal Shutdowns

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) and Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), Co-Chairs of the Bipartisan Congressional Disaster Preparedness & Recovery Caucus, introduced the Federal Emergency Management Continuity Act (H.R. 5780). The bill would require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to continue obligating and disbursing disaster relief funding during this and any future federal government shutdowns.

"I'm proud to support this critical legislation that ensures FEMA will continue delivering vital disaster relief and recovery assistance without interruption - even during government shutdowns," said Rep. Carter. "Natural disasters and emergencies don't wait for politics, and neither should our response. This bill safeguards the continuity of essential operations and protects the dedicated FEMA employees who make disaster recovery and response possible, ensuring that communities in crisis continue to receive assistance despite dysfunction in Congress."

Under the bill, resources available in the Disaster Relief Fund would continue to be obligated and dispersed for covered programs during any lapse in federal appropriations. FEMA employees necessary to carry out such disbursements would not be subject to furlough or reduction in force due to a shutdown.

Appropriations made under the Disaster Relief Fund allow FEMA to support eligible response and recovery efforts associated with domestic major disasters and emergencies, as directed by the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Management Act.

"During a government shutdown, communities hit by disaster shouldn't have to worry that the resources they're counting on to recover will go undelivered," said Rep. Moskowitz. "With this bill, families and businesses can have confidence that the funds they were promised will still be on their way, no matter what's happening in Washington. Their recovery shouldn't risk being put on hold just because Congress can't do its job."

Read the full bill text here.

Background:

The Bipartisan Congressional Disaster Preparedness & Recovery Caucus works across the aisle to advance legislation and policies that provide efficient, equitable relief for disaster survivors and promote measures that pave the path for impacted communities to make a full recovery. They also advocate for disaster preparedness measures and programs that help save lives, while readying America's communities for the disasters ahead.

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