Congressmen Don Davis and Chuck Edwards Lead Bipartisan Group of 50 Members Urging Leadership to Bring the FEMA Act to the Floor

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressmen Don Davis (NC-01) and Chuck Edwards (NC-11) led a bipartisan group of 50 Members of Congress in a letter urging House leadership to bring H.R. 4669, the Fixing Emergency Management for Americans (FEMA) Act of 2025, to the House floor for consideration. The lawmakers emphasized the need for faster, fairer disaster recovery for communities still rebuilding after Hurricane Helene.

The FEMA Act modernizes and streamlines federal disaster assistance by creating a single, universal application that allows survivors to complete one simplified form when seeking aid. The legislation also reforms FEMA's Public Assistance program by increasing upfront financial support for state and local governments, clarifying reimbursement requirements, and accelerating long-term recovery timelines. Finally, the bill strengthens disaster preparedness and resilience through provisions that support utility resiliency, preserve local flexibility in building codes, and provide resources to help homeowners reinforce existing structures against future disasters.

"North Carolina families and small businesses recovering from Helene need action, not onerous red tape. Survivors who have lost their homes or businesses due to natural disasters need the fastest available support. The FEMA Act prioritizes speed and flexibility in disaster response, delivering recovery funding faster and giving state and local governments the tools to meet their urgent needs," said Congressman Don Davis.

"When Hurricane Helene hit our mountain communities last year, our region was devastated. Over the past year, we've seen the importance of well-run emergency management and disaster relief services and the impact they have on getting communities back on their feet. The FEMA Act implements what disaster-impacted communities like ours have been asking for: less red tape, clearer rules, and faster help," said Congressman Chuck Edwards. "These reforms will make FEMA more responsive and ensure communities have the tools they need to rebuild stronger and recover faster. I urge House leadership to bring this bill to the floor so it can move forward."

"NRECA strongly supports the bipartisan FEMA Act and greatly appreciate the efforts of Reps. Chuck Edwards and Don Davis to urge swift passage in the House. Cooperatives are frequently on the frontlines of disaster recovery, working to rebuild their systems and restore power in the wake of severe storms and other emergencies. FEMA is a critical partner in these efforts, but it's far from perfect. Delays in funding approvals, complex paperwork requirements and a lack of consistency across regions slow down recovery, strain local resources and increase costs to rural communities. The FEMA Act includes key reforms to address these and other concerns. We urge the full House to pass this legislation as soon as possible," said Jim Matheson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

"​​The FEMA Act will help our nation's communities better protect themselves from extreme weather events and facilitate faster and easier relief for victims when disaster strikes. Its focus on mitigation and loss prevention will mean reduced risk, more stable markets, and, most importantly, fewer homes destroyed by catastrophes," said Jimi Grande, NAMIC Senior Vice President, Federal & Political Affairs.

The full letter can be found HERE.