Texas Flood Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4749
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Emergency Management
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-23: Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2025-09-16T22:23:38Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This legislation, titled the "Texas Flood Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2025," aims to provide immediate additional funding to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support disaster relief efforts following severe flooding events in Texas in 2025. It focuses on helping communities recover under the existing federal disaster assistance framework.
Key Provisions
- Funding Allocation: Appropriates $15 billion for fiscal year 2025 to FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund. This money comes from general Treasury funds and remains available until fully spent, specifically for major disasters declared under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (a federal law that outlines how the government responds to disasters like floods).
- Emergency Designation: The funding is classified as an "emergency requirement," which means it is exempt from certain federal budget limits under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (a law that caps spending to control deficits).
- Time Limits: No funds can be committed (obligated) after September 30, 2028, providing a four-year window for use.
- Reporting Requirements: FEMA's Administrator must submit reports to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees every 180 days, starting 180 days after the law's enactment and continuing until the funds are spent. Reports must cover:
- Amounts obligated (committed) and expended (spent).
- How funds were distributed across different areas of Texas.
- Types of assistance provided (e.g., rebuilding homes, temporary housing, or infrastructure repairs).
- Any obstacles to delivering aid or remaining unmet needs.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill does not amend or alter the core structure of existing disaster relief laws like the Stafford Act. Instead, it adds one-time supplemental funding on top of regularly appropriated amounts, creating a temporary boost to FEMA's resources without introducing new rules or processes.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: FEMA gains substantial extra resources to manage flood recovery, potentially easing pressure on its existing budget and allowing faster response times. Congressional oversight committees will have enhanced monitoring through required reports, promoting accountability.
- On Citizens: Texas residents affected by the 2025 floods, including individuals, families, and local communities, could receive quicker and more comprehensive aid for recovery needs like housing, debris removal, and economic support, reducing long-term hardship.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill is focused solely on domestic disaster relief within the United States.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: Primarily FEMA, which receives and administers the funds.
- State and Local Governments: Texas state officials and local communities in flood-affected areas, who coordinate with FEMA for aid distribution.
- Citizens and Businesses: Residents, homeowners, farmers, and small businesses in Texas hit by the floods, who stand to benefit from relief programs.
- Congressional Representatives: The bill's sponsors (a group of Texas House members) and the Appropriations Committees in both the House and Senate, which oversee funding and reporting.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The emergency designation allows the funding to bypass standard budget sequestration rules, ensuring rapid access to money without needing broader fiscal adjustments. The sunset clause (expiration after 2028) limits long-term spending commitments, aligning with fiscal responsibility principles.
- Constitutional: Supports Congress's constitutional power to appropriate funds (Article I, Section 9), with no apparent conflicts.
- Political: As a targeted supplemental bill introduced by Texas representatives, it highlights bipartisan or regional efforts to address localized disasters. The reporting mandates could foster transparency but might add administrative burdens; if passed, it sets a precedent for quick-response funding in future state-specific emergencies.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33]
Cosponsors (11)
Rep. Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7], Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Casar, Greg [D-TX-35], Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32], Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9], Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16], Rep. Gonzalez, Vicente [D-TX-34], Rep. Cuellar, Henry [D-TX-28]
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-23: Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-07-23: Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-07-23: Introduced in House
- 2025-07-23: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Texas Flood Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2025 — issued 2025-07-23 — PDF (3 pages)