FEMA Critical Staffing Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4992
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Emergency Management
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-08-20: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-03T09:06:38Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to restore certain staffing levels and continue specific disaster preparedness and response programs using already appropriated funds.
Key Provisions
- Staffing reinstatement: Within 30 days of enactment, FEMA must use appropriated funds to rehire individuals who were involuntarily removed from the agency between January 20, 2025, and the date the law takes effect, if those individuals choose to return.
- Program continuation: The FEMA Administrator must keep running all congressionally funded programs that help states and localities prepare for and respond to extreme weather events.
- Specific programs protected: The bill explicitly requires immediate reinstatement of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program and the flood mitigation assistance program, along with any projects already funded under them.
- Restrictions on changes: FEMA may not alter existing programs in ways that would limit access to extreme weather resources.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill overrides other provisions of law to mandate the use of appropriated funds for rehiring and program restoration. It establishes a legal requirement for FEMA to maintain staffing and specific grant programs without reduction, even if other authorities might allow cuts.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: FEMA would face immediate obligations to restore positions and programs, potentially affecting its budget allocation and operational flexibility.
- On citizens and communities: Communities facing extreme weather could see continued access to preparedness grants and recovery support.
- On state and local governments: These entities would retain access to federal resources for disaster preparation and mitigation projects.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Current and former FEMA employees who were separated during the specified period.
- State and local emergency management agencies that rely on FEMA programs.
- Communities in areas prone to extreme weather events.
- Congress, which oversees FEMA funding and programs.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The measure directs specific use of appropriated funds and limits agency discretion, which could raise questions about separation of powers between the legislative and executive branches. It also creates a time-bound reinstatement process that may interact with existing civil service rules or collective bargaining agreements.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (13)
Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1], Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23], Rep. Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4], Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Friedman, Laura [D-CA-30], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3]
Recent Actions
- 2025-08-20: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- 2025-08-19: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, 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.
- 2025-08-19: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, 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.
- 2025-08-19: Introduced in House
- 2025-08-19: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- FEMA Critical Staffing Act — issued 2025-08-19 — PDF (3 pages)