Recognizing the critical missions of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and expressing concern that the systematic reduction of its career workforce has undermined those missions and endangered the safety and security of United States citizens.

Bill Number

H.Res. 1138

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Government Operations and Politics

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-03-27: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.

Last Updated

2026-06-03T08:05:44Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This House Resolution (H. Res. 1138) recognizes the essential roles of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA – handles disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA – leads civilian cybersecurity efforts), and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA – screens passengers, baggage, and cargo at airports). It expresses concern that recent reductions in their career (long-term, non-political) workforces have weakened these agencies' abilities to protect U.S. citizens' safety and security.

Key Provisions

The resolution includes a series of "Whereas" clauses detailing evidence of workforce cuts (e.g., FEMA lost ~3,000 staff; CISA lost ~29%; TSA lost officers amid shutdowns) and potential violations of laws like the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006. The "Resolved" section directs the House to:

• Affirm the importance of these agencies' missions and their professional workforces.
• Express "serious concern" over reductions weakening statutory duties.
• Note cuts lacked congressional approval, violated funding laws, and were ruled unlawful by courts.
• Call on the administration to:
• Halt unauthorized workforce reductions.
• Provide Congress with detailed reports on cuts since January 20, 2025.
• Nominate a permanent FEMA Administrator.
• Reaffirm the need for skilled career professionals alongside funding.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• None. This is a non-binding House resolution, expressing opinion and making recommendations without creating new laws or amending existing ones.

Potential Impacts

• Government agencies: May pressure DHS (parent department) to pause cuts, fill leadership vacancies, and report data, potentially stabilizing FEMA, CISA, and TSA operations amid staffing shortages (e.g., FEMA at 12% incident management capacity).
• Citizens: Highlights risks to disaster response, cybersecurity, election security, and airport screening, which could affect public safety during events like hurricanes or elections.
• No direct international relations impact, though weakened CISA could indirectly affect global cybersecurity coordination.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Career employees at FEMA, CISA, TSA (e.g., analysts, coordinators, security officers facing layoffs, buyouts, attrition).
• Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the administration (targeted for action).
• Congress (seeks reports and nominations; referred to multiple committees).
• U.S. citizens (impacted by potential service disruptions).
• Courts and oversight bodies like Government Accountability Office and Merit Systems Protection Board (referenced for validating concerns).

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Cites court rulings deeming cuts unlawful and violations of congressional appropriations (funding laws passed by Congress), plus Merit Systems Protection Board class-action challenges.
• Constitutional: Raises separation of powers issues, as executive branch cuts bypassed Congress's control over funding and personnel.
• Political: Serves as a bipartisan critique (introduced by Reps. Bell and Stanton) of executive workforce policies like those from the "Department of Government Efficiency," potentially influencing appropriations debates or nominations without enforceable power.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1]

Cosponsors (1)

Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4]

Recent Actions

• 2026-03-27: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
• 2026-03-26: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce, and Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
• 2026-03-26: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce, and Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
• 2026-03-26: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce, and Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
• 2026-03-26: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce, and Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
• 2026-03-26: Submitted in House
• 2026-03-26: Submitted in House

Bill Versions

• Recognizing the critical missions of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and expressing concern that the systematic reduction of its career workforce has undermined those missions and endangered the safety and security of United States citizens. — issued 2026-03-26 — PDF (6 pages)