To appropriate funds for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Disaster Relief Fund, and for other purposes.

Bill Number

H.R. 8368

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Emergency Management

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-04-20: 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

2026-05-27T15:24:17Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This bill (H.R. 8368) provides emergency funding to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for its Disaster Relief Fund. The funds support disaster recovery efforts under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (often called the Stafford Act), specifically for major disasters declared by the President.

Key Provisions

• Appropriation Amount: Allocates $26,367,000,000 from general Treasury funds for fiscal year 2026.
• Availability: Funds remain available until fully spent (no expiration date).
• Use of Funds: Covers necessary expenses related to major disasters declared under Section 401 of the Stafford Act (42 U.S.C. 5170), such as aid for rebuilding, debris removal, and emergency assistance.
• Emergency Designation:
• Classified as an "emergency requirement" under the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (2 U.S.C. 933(g)), which helps bypass standard budget scoring rules.
• Also designated under specific House and Senate budget resolutions for fiscal years 2022 and 2026, allowing it to avoid certain spending limits.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• No substantive changes to the Stafford Act or other laws; this is a standalone funding bill that injects new money into an existing program without altering eligibility, processes, or authorities.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Enables FEMA (part of the Department of Homeland Security) to meet ongoing and future disaster response needs, preventing shortfalls in the Disaster Relief Fund.
• Citizens and Communities: Provides financial support for individuals, businesses, and local governments in disaster-struck areas, speeding up recovery from events like hurricanes, floods, or wildfires.
• Federal Budget: Adds to emergency spending without counting against regular budget caps, potentially increasing the national debt.
• No International Relations Impact: Focused solely on domestic U.S. disasters.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• FEMA and Federal Government: Primary recipient and administrator of funds.
• State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Eligible for reimbursements and grants for disaster response.
• Disaster Victims: Individuals and businesses in declared disaster areas who receive direct aid, housing assistance, or low-interest loans.
• Taxpayers: Bear the cost through federal spending.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Reinforces the Stafford Act framework; emergency designation complies with congressional budget rules, ensuring quick passage without Pay-As-You-Go offsets (extra spending cuts or revenue elsewhere).
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's power of the purse (Article I, Section 9) to appropriate funds.
• Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (Rep. Carter (R-LA) and Rep. Moskowitz (D-FL)); referred to House Appropriations and Budget Committees, signaling focus on urgent disaster funding amid frequent U.S. natural disasters.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2]

Cosponsors (1)

Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23]

Recent Actions

• 2026-04-20: 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.
• 2026-04-20: 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.
• 2026-04-20: Introduced in House
• 2026-04-20: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• To appropriate funds for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Disaster Relief Fund, and for other purposes. — issued 2026-04-20 — PDF (2 pages)