Condemning Federal workforce reductions that undermine preparedness, response, and recovery, and expressing concern regarding proposed future staffing cuts to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 1035
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Emergency Management
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-04: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-30T08:06:50Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
H. Res. 1035 is a non-binding House resolution that condemns recent and proposed reductions in the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) workforce. It expresses concern that these cuts undermine the agency's ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters, both natural and man-made, including acts of terrorism. The resolution aims to highlight the risks of staffing shortages and urge support for a stable FEMA workforce.
Key Provisions
The resolution consists of extensive "Whereas" clauses outlining background and rationale, followed by a "Resolved" section with five main points:
- Condemnation of workforce reductions: Declares that current and proposed cuts at FEMA endanger national disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
- Expression of concern: Notes that such reductions ignore lessons from past disasters like Hurricanes Andrew, Katrina, Sandy, Harvey, Maria, Helene, and Winter Storm Elliott, potentially compromising state, local, tribal, and territorial governments' ability to protect lives and property.
- Denouncement of impacts on terrorism response: Criticizes cuts that weaken FEMA's role in counterterrorism, including administration of grants like the Urban Area Security Initiative, State Homeland Security Program, and Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which support first responders (e.g., emergency medical services, firefighters, law enforcement) and high-risk communities.
- Disapproval of administration actions: Opposes "reckless cuts" by the Trump Administration that could compromise FEMA's staffing, surge capacity (ability to quickly increase personnel during crises), and expertise in disaster response and survivor support.
- Commitment to support: Affirms Congress's intent to back a well-resourced FEMA workforce for effective disaster management nationwide.
The resolution was introduced on February 3, 2026, by Rep. Thompson of Mississippi and co-sponsors, and referred to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure and Homeland Security.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This resolution introduces no changes to existing law, as it is a declarative statement rather than a bill that amends statutes or appropriates funds. It references past reforms (e.g., post-Hurricane Katrina improvements to FEMA's hiring and deployment) and ongoing issues noted in Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports but does not enact new policies.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: Could increase scrutiny on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and FEMA, potentially affecting internal planning and morale among employees. It highlights risks of delayed responses to ongoing events like Hurricane Helene recovery, Central Texas flooding, and California wildfires, and notes higher long-term federal costs from inefficiencies.
- On citizens: May lead to slower disaster aid, prolonged displacement, and reduced support for vulnerable groups in rural, coastal, wildfire-prone, or small communities. It also emphasizes risks to flood insurance payouts under the National Flood Insurance Program and counterterrorism protections for everyday safety.
- On international relations: No direct impacts mentioned, as the focus is domestic disaster and emergency management.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- FEMA and DHS employees: Face job instability, morale issues, and loss of experienced staff, which could hinder retention and institutional knowledge.
- Federal government: Congress and the executive branch (specifically the Trump Administration) are called out for oversight and resource allocation responsibilities.
- State, local, tribal, and territorial governments: Rely on FEMA for coordinated disaster response; cuts could strain their capacities.
- Citizens and communities: Particularly those in disaster-prone areas, including survivors needing timely aid, first responders, nonprofits, and participants in counterterrorism grant programs.
- Taxpayers: Potential for increased costs due to inefficient recovery and rebuilding.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal implications: Reinforces GAO findings (e.g., FEMA's 35% staffing shortage added to the high-risk list in 2025) as evidence for potential future lawsuits or audits on workforce management, but imposes no enforceable obligations.
- Constitutional implications: Aligns with Congress's oversight role under Article I (e.g., appropriations and executive accountability) but is non-binding, so it carries no legal weight—it's symbolic advocacy.
- Political implications: Partisan tone criticizes the Trump Administration's 2025 actions (e.g., 2,000 staff losses), potentially fueling debates on federal spending and disaster policy during an election cycle. It underscores bipartisan historical lessons from disasters since 1979 (FEMA's founding via Executive Order 12127) while committing to congressional support, which could influence budget negotiations.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2]
Cosponsors (38)
Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14], Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32], Rescom. Hernández, Pablo Jose [D-PR-At Large], Rep. Pou, Nellie [D-NJ-9], Rep. Walkinshaw, James R. [D-VA-11], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1], Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ-8], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10], Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4]
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-04: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
- 2026-02-03: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, 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.
- 2026-02-03: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, 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.
- 2026-02-03: Submitted in House
- 2026-02-03: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Condemning Federal workforce reductions that undermine preparedness, response, and recovery, and expressing concern regarding proposed future staffing cuts to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. — issued 2026-02-03 — PDF (6 pages)