What This Bill Does · Plain English
Summary · Congress.gov
Federal Emergency Management Continuity Act of 2025 This bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to continue using certain funds in the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) during a lapse in appropriations (i.e., government shutdown). Specifically, FEMA must continue obligating and disbursing funds in the DRF that were appropriated before the lapse in appropriations and remain available to be expended. The funds may be used for any disaster relief, emergency assistance, and recovery program authorized under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, including individual assistance, public assistance, and other disbursements and obligations for programs or activities necessary to protect life and property during a lapse in appropriations. The bill also requires employees who are necessary to carry out these disbursements or related program activities to be treated as excepted employees under the Anti-Deficiency Act. (Excepted employees are required to work during a lapse in appropriations.) The bill also prohibits these employees from being subject to a furlough or a reduction in force due to a lapse in appropriations.
Action Timeline
2025-12-01
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
2025-10-17
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
2025-10-17
Introduced in House
2025-10-17
Introduced in House
Frequently Asked Questions
Did HR.5780 pass?
HR.5780 is still alive. Current stage: COMMITTEE. Pass likelihood: pending.
What does HR.5780 do?
Federal Emergency Management Continuity Act of 2025 This bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to continue using certain funds in the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) during a lapse in appropriations (i.e., government shutdown). Specifically, FEMA must continue obligating and disbursing funds in the DRF that were appropriated before the lapse in appropriations and remain available to be expended. The funds may be used for any disaster relief, emergency assistance, and recovery program authorized under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, includi…
Who sponsored HR.5780?
HR.5780 was sponsored by Jared Moskowitz (D-Florida).
Full Bill Text
119 HR 5780 IH: Federal Emergency Management Continuity Act of 2025 U.S. House of Representatives 2025-10-17 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I 119th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 5780 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES October 17, 2025 Mr. Moskowitz (for himself and Mr. Carter of Louisiana ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure A BILL To direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to continue to obligate and disburse covered funds in the Disaster Relief Fund during a lapse in appropriations, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Federal Emergency Management Continuity Act of 2025 . 2. Continuity of operations of FEMA (a) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of law, during a lapse in appropriations to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Administrator of the Agency shall continue obligating and disbursing covered funds available in the Disaster Relief Fund for covered programs. (b) Employees Employees necessary to carry out disbursements or related program activities under subsection (a) shall be treated as excepted employees under section 1341 of title 31, United States Code (commonly referred to as the ‘Anti-Deficiency Act') and such employees may not be subject to furlough or reduction in force due to the applicable lapse in appropriations. (c) Definitions In this section: (1) Covered funds The term covered funds means any funds in the Disaster Relief Fund that have been appropriated before the applicable lapse in appropriation and remain available to be expended. (2) Covered programs The term covered program means any disaster relief, emergency assistance, and recovery program authorized under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq. ), including individual assistance under section 408 of such Act, public assistance under sections 403, 406, 407, and 502, and other disbursements and obligations made from the Disaster Relief Fund for programs or activities necessary to protect life and property during a lapse in appropriations.
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