FEMA Act of 2025

Download PDF
Bill ID: 119/hr/4669
Last Updated: September 1, 2026

Sponsored by

Rep. Graves, Sam [R-MO-6]

ID: G000546

Follow the money

The bill

FEMA Act of 2025

HR. 4669, 119th Congress — read as touching Construction & Engineering.

The sponsor

Rep. Graves, Sam [R-MO-6]

Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.

The money

$215,569 raised

28 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.

The alignment

85% match to Project 2025

This bill's text tracks the "Department of Homeland Security" section, p. 186-188 of the Mandate for Leadership.

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 57 - 3.

September 2, 2025

Introduced

📍 Current Status

Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.

🏛️

Committee Review

🗳️

Floor Action

✅

Passed House

🏛️

Senate Review

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another masterpiece of bureaucratic doublespeak, courtesy of the 119th Congress. Let's dissect this monstrosity and uncover the real disease beneath the legislative theater.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The FEMA Act of 2025 is a 419-section behemoth that claims to "authorize and improve" the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) while reforming disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. In reality, it's a Frankenstein's monster of a bill, stitched together from various special interests and lobbyist wish lists.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill creates a cabinet-level independent agency for FEMA, because what every bureaucracy needs is more autonomy and less accountability. It also establishes new offices, functions, and programs, including a Working Capital Fund (because who doesn't love a good slush fund?). The bill "reforms" public assistance by creating more bureaucratic hoops to jump through, while also increasing the federal government's role in disaster response.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects are affected: FEMA, state and local governments, emergency responders, and the private sector. But let's be real, the only stakeholders who truly matter are the lobbyists and special interest groups who wrote this bill.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a perfect example of " disaster socialism" – where the federal government takes on more responsibility for disasters, while also creating new opportunities for cronyism and corruption. The increased bureaucracy will lead to more inefficiencies, delays, and waste. The "reforms" will likely result in more red tape, making it harder for those affected by disasters to receive aid.

In short, this bill is a symptom of the disease that plagues our government: a toxic mix of incompetence, corruption, and special interest pandering. It's a classic case of "legislative lupus" – where the cure (more bureaucracy) is worse than the disease (inefficient disaster response).

Diagnosis: Terminal bureaucratic sclerosis.

Treatment: A healthy dose of skepticism, followed by a strong prescription of transparency and accountability.

Prognosis: Poor. This bill will likely pass, and we'll be left with another bloated, ineffective government program that fails to deliver on its promises.

Related Topics

Federal Budget & AppropriationsState & Local Government AffairsGovernment Operations & Accountability
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Graves, Sam [R-MO-6]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$215,569
22 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$10,269
Committees
$0
Individuals
$205,300

No PAC contributions found

1
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
1 transaction
$3,300
2
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
2 transactions
$2,500
3
VOLUME TRANSPORTATION
1 transaction
$2,000
4
NORTHWEST MISSOURI CELLULAR
1 transaction
$1,000
5
MIDWEST DATA CENTER
2 transactions
$1,000
6
DEMOCRACY ENGINE LLC
1 transaction
$469

No committee contributions found

1
BUSCH, AUGUST
3 transactions
$140,900
2
MALMSTROM, JULIE
1 transaction
$11,600
3
LAGER, BRAD
2 transactions
$6,600
4
LAGER, STEPHANIE
2 transactions
$6,600
5
BOHLIN, TIFFANY
1 transaction
$3,300
6
HILL, JARED
1 transaction
$3,300
7
ADDISON, DAVID
1 transaction
$3,300
8
BRUDER, ERIC
1 transaction
$3,300
9
CHRISTIAN, LAURA
1 transaction
$3,300
10
DAVISON, JEFF
1 transaction
$3,300
11
EBERSOLD, CRAIG
1 transaction
$3,300
12
GEORGE, BRET A.
1 transaction
$3,300
13
HAGUE, KALI M
1 transaction
$3,300
14
HAPTONSTALL, DERON
1 transaction
$3,300
15
JACKSON, KENT
1 transaction
$3,300
16
NORMAN, SCOTT
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 10 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2]

ID: L000560

Top Contributors

36

1
SWINOMISH INDIAN TRIBAL COMMUNITY
OrganizationLA CONNER, WA
$3,300
Dec 28, 2023
2
SWINOMISH INDIAN TRIBAL COMMUNITY
OrganizationLA CONNER, WA
$3,300
Dec 28, 2023
3
THE TULALIP TRIBES OF WASHINGTON
OrganizationTULALIP, WA
$3,300
May 5, 2023
4
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
OrganizationDURANT, OK
$3,300
Apr 26, 2024
5
LUMMI INDIAN BUSINESS COUNCIL
OrganizationBELLINGHAM, WA
$3,300
May 8, 2024
6
PUYALLUP TRIBE OF INDIANS
OrganizationTACOMA, WA
$3,300
Jun 30, 2024
7
THE TULALIP TRIBES OF WASHINGTON
OrganizationTULALIP, WA
$3,300
Jun 26, 2024
8
THE JAMESTOWN S'KLALLAM TRIBE
OrganizationSEQUIM, WA
$3,300
Oct 24, 2024
9
PUYALLUP TRIBE OF INDIANS
OrganizationTACOMA, WA
$2,900
May 19, 2023
10
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$2,000
Jun 14, 2024

Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11]

ID: W000806

Top Contributors

20

1
SILVERMAN, JEFFREY
IndividualSURFSIDE, FL
$6,600
Apr 18, 2024
2
BRADLEY, JACQUELINE
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualKESWICK, VA
$6,600
Apr 15, 2024
3
SILVERMAN, JEFFREY
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualSURFSIDE, FL
$6,600
Feb 15, 2024
4
FILBURN, MARK
WHITESTONE CONSTRUCTION • PRESIDENT
IndividualLONGWOOD, FL
$3,400
Jun 26, 2024
5
FILBURN, MARK
IndividualLONGWOOD, FL
$3,400
Sep 4, 2024
6
ASNESS, CLIFF
AQR • EXECUTIVE
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Jun 6, 2024
7
ASNESS, LAUREL
MARCUM LLP • EXECUTIVE
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Jun 6, 2024
8
BEUCHER, NICK
CEO • TAVISTOCK FINANCIAL CORPORATION
IndividualORLANDO, FL
$3,300
May 28, 2024
9
BRADLEY, JACQUELINE
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualKESWICK, VA
$3,300
Apr 18, 2024
10
DEVORE, DEBBIE
SEA & SHORELINE • ACCOUNTANT
IndividualWINTER GARDEN, FL
$3,300
May 31, 2024

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

ID: S001211

Top Contributors

38

1
AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY
OrganizationMARICOPA, AZ
$3,300
Mar 29, 2023
2
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
OrganizationROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
May 31, 2023
3
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
OrganizationROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
May 31, 2023
4
GILA RIVER INDIAN COMMUNITY
OrganizationSACATON, AZ
$3,300
Oct 16, 2024
5
TOONO 0'ODHAM NATION
OrganizationSELLS, AZ
$3,300
Oct 22, 2024
6
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationBANNING, CA
$2,000
Sep 25, 2023
7
SALT RIVER PIMA MARICOPA INDIAN COMMUNITY
OrganizationSCOTTSDALE, AZ
$2,000
Jul 31, 2023
8
SALT RIVER PIMA MARICOPA INDIAN COMMUNITY
OrganizationSCOTTSDALE, AZ
$1,700
May 29, 2024
9
BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationLAKESIDE, CA
$1,500
May 19, 2023
10
ONEIDA NATION
OrganizationONEIDA, WI
$1,000
Jul 31, 2023

Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7]

ID: R000603

Top Contributors

20

1
WRIGHT, DEREK
MERIDIEN MARKETING AND LOGISTICS, INC • EXPORT
IndividualWILMINGTON, NC
$3,435
Mar 27, 2024
2
CREASY, DONALD J
CARUTHERS PROPERTIES • REAL ESTATE
IndividualCLAYTON, NC
$3,435
Jun 11, 2024
3
ESTEP, HANK
GRIFFIN ESTEP • INSURANCE
IndividualWILMINGTON, NC
$3,435
May 16, 2024
4
POWERS, DAVID M.
SELF EMPLOYED • PUBLIC AFFAIRS
IndividualRALEIGH, NC
$3,435
Sep 6, 2024
5
BERGMAN, LEAH MARIE
SOUTHERN REPAIR SERVICE INC • REAL ESTATE
IndividualCHAPEL HILL, NC
$3,300
Oct 28, 2024
6
CONNORS, CATHERINE F
SOLSTICE PARTNERS LLC • REAL ESTATE
IndividualCARY, NC
$3,300
Oct 28, 2024
7
DEGIACINTO, CLAY
AXONIC CAPITAL • MANAGING PARTNER
IndividualRALEIGH, NC
$3,300
Oct 31, 2024
8
ELLIS, GARY
SELF-EMPLOYED • INVESTOR
IndividualMATTHEWS, NC
$3,300
Oct 28, 2024
9
MILLS, FRED G JR.
MILLS CONSTRUCTION • GENERAL CONTRACTOR
IndividualWAKE FOREST, NC
$3,300
Oct 28, 2024
10
ROCKEFELLER, LISENNE
WINROCK GROUP INC • PRESIDENT
IndividualLITTLE ROCK, AR
$3,300
Oct 28, 2024

Rep. Ezell, Mike [R-MS-4]

ID: E000235

Top Contributors

29

1
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LLC - ALEX HINSON, PARTNER AND CHIEF EXEC. OFFICER
OrganizationBIRMINGHAM, AL
$2,500
Nov 2, 2023
2
ALLY TELECOM GROUP LLC - PARTNERSHIP - MITCH KALIFEH
OrganizationMETAIRIE, LA
$2,500
Aug 30, 2023
3
MS BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS
OrganizationCHOCTAW, MS
$1,000
Apr 25, 2023
4
GONC LTC, LLC
OrganizationJACKSON, MS
$1,000
Sep 14, 2023
5
STEED'S COLLISION CTR, LLC - LAURA STEED MANAGER
OrganizationBILOXI, MS
$1,000
Aug 30, 2023
6
WATKINS & EAGER PLLC - GRANT SELLERS, PARTNER
OrganizationJACKSON, MS
$1,000
Aug 30, 2023
7
TEN ONE STRATEGIES - JOHN HUGHES, MANAGING PARTNER
OrganizationJACKSON, MS
$500
Aug 25, 2023
8
GULF PRIDE COMPANIES, LLC - ERICH N. NICHOLS, MANAGER
OrganizationGULFPORT, MS
$250
Aug 30, 2023
9
WATKINS & EAGER PLLC - GRANT SELLERS, PARTNER
OrganizationJACKSON, MS
$250
Aug 25, 2023
10
DUNAGIN, MELINDA
DUNAGIN PEST SOLUTIONS • OFFICE MANAGER
IndividualHATTIESBURG, MS
$3,300
Nov 1, 2024

Rep. Edwards, Chuck [R-NC-11]

ID: E000246

Top Contributors

20

1
BAUM, ANN
OSAAT ENTERPRISES LLC DBA MCDONALD'S • RESTAURANT OWNER
IndividualCHARLOTTE, NC
$3,300
Dec 21, 2023
2
DUHAMEL, WILLIAM F
ROUTE ONE INVESTMENT COMPANY • PORTFOLIO MANAGER
IndividualSAN FRANCISCO, CA
$3,300
Dec 15, 2023
3
BELL, JOHN W III
BILTMORE PROPERTY GROUP • MANAGEMENT
IndividualASHEVILLE, NC
$3,300
Oct 21, 2024
4
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDI, TRIBE
UNINCORP INDIAN TRIBE • UNINCORP INDIAN TRIBE
IndividualCHEROKEE, NC
$3,300
Nov 8, 2024
5
EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDI, TRIBE
UNINCORP INDIAN TRIBE • UNINCORP INDIAN TRIBE
IndividualCHEROKEE, NC
$3,300
Feb 13, 2024
6
POPE, JAMES
VARIETY WHOLESALERS • RETAILER
IndividualRALEIGH, NC
$3,300
Feb 12, 2024
7
SYKES, CLAY
ESG OPERATIONS INC. • PRINCIPAL
IndividualPENROSE, NC
$3,300
Feb 5, 2024
8
SYKES, LISA
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualPENROSE, NC
$3,300
Feb 5, 2024
9
FAISON, JAY
2040 FOUNDATION • DIRECTOR
IndividualCHARLOTTE, NC
$3,300
Mar 4, 2024
10
FAISON, JAY
2040 FOUNDATION • DIRECTOR
IndividualCHARLOTTE, NC
$3,300
Mar 4, 2024

Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8]

ID: H001099

Top Contributors

20

1
JARNES, LARRY
NORTHBORO BUILDERS INC • BUILDER
IndividualMELBOURNE, FL
$9,900
May 20, 2024
2
FARINELLA, NICK
SELF-EMPLOYED • REALTOR
IndividualMELBOURNE, FL
$3,518
May 6, 2024
3
HILL, KEVIN
RE/MAX ALTERNATIVE • REALTOR
IndividualINDIAN HARBOUR BEA, FL
$3,518
May 6, 2024
4
MOLLEN, JACK
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualMELBOURNE, FL
$3,518
May 17, 2024
5
SHOULDERS, KATHY
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualINDIAN HARBOUR BEA, FL
$3,518
May 21, 2024
6
SHOULDERS, WILLIAM
HANDEX CONSULTING REMEDIATION • EXECUTIVE
IndividualINDIAN HARBOUR BEA, FL
$3,518
Apr 30, 2024
7
BERRY, JAMES
DELTA AIR LINES • PILOT
IndividualMELBOURNE, FL
$3,435
Sep 10, 2024
8
DANDRIDGE, STEPHANIE
SOTHEBYS • REALTOR
IndividualINDIALANTIC, FL
$3,435
Sep 19, 2024
9
FLACHS, BRUCE
PRESCIENT NATIONAL • INSURANCE
IndividualVERO BEACH, FL
$3,435
Sep 4, 2024
10
MARUMOTO, ALAN K.
UNIVERSITY CENTER IMAGING • PHYSICIAN
IndividualINDIALANTIC, FL
$3,435
Sep 13, 2024

Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4]

ID: T000460

Top Contributors

43

1
ACTBLUE
COMSOMERVILLE, MA
$500
Oct 27, 2024
2
ACTBLUE
COMSOMERVILLE, MA
$30
Nov 3, 2024
3
SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND OF MIWOK INDIANS
OrganizationSHINGLE SPRINGS, CA
$3,300
Sep 30, 2023
4
YOCHA DEHE WINTUN NATION
OrganizationBROOKS, CA
$3,300
Dec 22, 2023
5
YOCHA DEHE WINTUN NATION
OrganizationBROOKS, CA
$3,300
Dec 22, 2023
6
EASTERN BANK OF CHEROKEE INDIANS
OrganizationCHEROKEE, NC
$3,300
Feb 7, 2024
7
HABEMATOLEL POMO OF UPPER LAKE
OrganizationUPPER LAKE, CA
$3,300
Jun 23, 2024
8
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
OrganizationROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
May 23, 2023
9
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
OrganizationROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
May 23, 2023
10
MOORETOWN RANCHERIA
OrganizationOROVILLE, CA
$3,300
Sep 28, 2024

Rep. Friedman, Laura [D-CA-30]

ID: F000483

Top Contributors

25

1
SANTA ROSA RANCHERIA
OrganizationLEMOORE, CA
$6,600
May 23, 2024
2
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationSANTA YNEZ, CA
$3,300
Jun 30, 2024
3
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
OrganizationROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
Aug 8, 2024
4
BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationLAKESIDE, CA
$2,000
Sep 1, 2024
5
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationBANNING, CA
$1,000
Sep 30, 2024
6
MADISON, STEVEN
QUINN EMANUEL • ATTORNEY
IndividualLOS ANGELES, CA
$3,300
Nov 1, 2024
7
JACOBS, IRWIN M.
NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualLA JOLLA, CA
$3,300
Dec 10, 2024
8
ROVEN, STEPHANIE HAYMES
ATLAS ENTERTAINMENT, LLC • CREATIVE EXECUTIVE
IndividualWEATHERFORD, TX
$3,300
Dec 12, 2023
9
JORDAN, WAYNE
JREI • PRINCIPAL
IndividualOAKLAND, CA
$3,300
Dec 25, 2023
10
GUTTAG, JOHN V.
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY • PROFESSOR
IndividualLEXINGTON, MA
$3,300
Nov 15, 2023

Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]

ID: C001103

Top Contributors

23

1
SAVANNAH TOYOTA
OrganizationSAVANNAH, GA
$1,000
Oct 26, 2024
2
SAVANNAH TOYOTA
OrganizationSAVANNAH, GA
$1,000
Sep 26, 2024
3
TYBEE MARKET
OrganizationTYBEE ISLAND, GA
$500
Mar 6, 2024
4
SMITH, BYRON L.
IndividualRICHMOND HILL, GA
$5,000
Nov 5, 2024
5
MUNOZ, DONALD
NUCANA • CFO
IndividualWESTON, MA
$4,665
May 31, 2024
6
RICKS, DAVID A.
ELI LILLY AND COMPANY • CEO
IndividualINDIANAPOLIS, IN
$3,300
Sep 30, 2023
7
SADOWSKI, GARY T.
SADOWSKI CO • CPA
IndividualSAVANNAH, GA
$3,300
Aug 25, 2023
8
STEERE, WILLIAM C. JR.
NONE • RETIRED
IndividualBONITA SPRINGS, FL
$3,300
Aug 3, 2023
9
HENNESSY, MARK W.
HENNESSY AUTOMOBILE COMPANIES • PRESIDENT
IndividualATLANTA, GA
$3,300
Nov 4, 2024
10
KIMBELL, JEFFREY
SELF-EMPLOYED • HEALTH CARE CONSULTANT
IndividualPARK CITY, UT
$3,300
Oct 30, 2024

Donor Network - Rep. Graves, Sam [R-MO-6]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

Loading...

Showing 36 nodes and 43 connections

Total contributions: $43

Top Donors - Rep. Graves, Sam [R-MO-6]

Showing top 22 donors by contribution amount

6 Orgs16 Individuals

Industry Impact

Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 9 helped.

  • Section 101 (Rebuilding Public Infrastructure) authorizes grants for repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement of public facilities damaged by major disasters, which directly benefits construction and engineering firms involved in such projects.

  • +Health Insuranceconfidence 0.90

    Section 204 amends crisis counseling assistance to include substance use and alcohol use, which expands coverage and benefits for health insurance providers by increasing utilization of behavioral health services covered under health plans.

  • +Electric Utilitiesconfidence 0.85

    Section 305 (Utility Resiliency) allows electric utilities to carry out hazard mitigation activities jointly with power restoration efforts assisted by FEMA, providing a clear benefit to electric utilities.

  • Section 215 ensures access to lifesaving non-congregate sheltering without requiring credit cards or security deposits, which benefits long-term care providers by facilitating safer discharge planning and transitional housing for elderly and disabled individuals post-disaster.

  • +Real Estateconfidence 0.85

    Section 101 enables grants for repair/reconstruction of public and private nonprofit facilities, including housing and commercial real estate, directly benefiting real estate developers and owners through federal funding for post-disaster rebuilding.

  • Section 101 includes 'emergency medical care' in the definition of critical services eligible for grants to repair or replace private nonprofit facilities, benefiting hospitals and health systems.

+ 3 more industries not shown.

Who funds the sponsor on these industries

For each industry this bill affects, here's what the sponsor (Rep. Graves, Sam [R-MO-6])received from donors associated with that industry during the 2022–present cycles. Donations are not proof of intent — they are a record of who funds the people writing the law.

Industries this bill HELPS

  • from 4 contributions
    • BASS, STANLEY$1,000
    • CHRISTIANSON, JAMES$500
    • SANDHERR, STEPHEN$500
    • BENDER, DAVID$250

Project 2025 Policy Matches

This bill shows semantic similarity to the following sections of the Project 2025 policy document.AI-enhanced analysis provides detailed alignment ratings.

Department of Homeland Security

Strong
Vector: 72%
Pages: 186-188AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The FEMA Act of 2025 aligns closely with Project 2025's FEMA reform agenda by emphasizing federalism, raising disaster declaration thresholds, reducing federal overreach in preparedness grants, and promoting state and local responsibility—core themes in the Project 2025 critique of FEMA's current structure and spending."

Key themes:federalismdisaster declaration thresholdspreparedness grants reformstate and local responsibilityFEMA restructuring

— 153 — Department of Homeland Security l 287(g) program. Issue a memo prohibiting any jurisdiction that applies from being denied access to the program unless good cause is shown. l Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) priorities. Issue Department Management Directive (and ICE companion Directive) to refocus HSI on immigration offenses and criminal offenses typically associated with immigration (for example, human trafficking). All criminal investigative work without a clear nexus to the border or otherwise to Title 8 should be turned over to the appropriate federal agency. l Blackie’s Warrants. ICE OPLA, ERO, and HSI should issue a joint internal memo on operationalizing Blackie’s Warrants for immediate use on worksite enforcement and other appropriate investigations and operations. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA) Needed Reforms FEMA is the lead federal agency in preparing for and responding to disasters, but it is overtasked, overcompensates for the lack of state and local preparedness and response, and is regularly in deep debt. After passage of the 1988 Stafford Act,12 the number of declared federal disasters rose dramatically as most disaster costs were shifted from states and local governments to the federal government. In addition, state-friendly FEMA regulations, such as a “per capita indicator,” failed to maintain the pace of inflation and made it easy to meet disaster declaration thresholds. This combination has left FEMA unprepared in both readiness and funding for the truly catastrophic disasters in which its services are most needed. Reform of FEMA requires a greater emphasis on federalism and state and local preparedness, leaving FEMA to focus on large, widespread disasters. Under the Stafford Act, FEMA has the authority to adjust the per capita indi- cator for damages, which creates a threshold under which states and localities are not eligible for public assistance. FEMA should raise the threshold because the per capita indicator has not kept pace with inflation, and this over time has effectively lowered the threshold for public assistance and caused FEMA’s resources to be stretched perilously thin. Alternatively, applying a deductible could accomplish a similar outcome while also incentivizing states to take a more proactive role in their own preparedness and response capabilities. In addition, Congress should change the cost-share arrangement so that the federal government covers 25 per- cent of the costs for small disasters with the cost share reaching a maximum of 75 percent for truly catastrophic disasters. FEMA is also responsible for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), nearly all of which is issued by the federal government. Washington provides — 154 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise insurance at prices lower than the actuarially fair rate, thereby subsidizing flood insurance. Then, when flood costs exceed NFIP’s revenue, FEMA seeks taxpay- er-funded bailouts. Current NFIP debt is $20.5 billion, and in 2017, Congress canceled $16 billion in debt when FEMA reached its borrowing authority limit. These subsidies and bailouts only encourage more development in flood zones, increasing the potential losses to both NFIP and the taxpayer. The NFIP should be wound down and replaced with private insurance starting with the least risky areas currently identified by the program. Budget Issues FEMA manages all grants for DHS, and these grants have become pork for states, localities, and special-interest groups. Since 2002, DHS/FEMA have provided more than $56 billion in preparedness grants for state, local, tribal, and territorial governments. For FY 2023, President Biden requested more than $3.5 billion for federal assistance grants.13 Funds provided under these programs do not provide measurable gains for preparedness or resiliency. Rather, more than any objective needs, political interests appear to direct the flow of nondisaster funds. The principles of federalism should be upheld; these indicate that states better understand their unique needs and should bear the costs of their particularized programs. FEMA employees in Washington, D.C., should not determine how bil- lions of federal tax dollars should be awarded to train local law enforcement officers in Texas, harden cybersecurity infrastructure in Utah, or supplement migrant shelters in Arizona. DHS should not be in the business of handing out federal tax dollars: These grants should be terminated. Accomplishing this, however, will require action by Members of Congress who repeatedly vote to fund grants for political reasons. The transition should focus on building resilience and return on investment in line with real threats. Personnel FEMA currently has four Senate-confirmed positions. Only the Administrator should be confirmed by the Senate; other political leadership need not be con- firmed by the Senate. Additionally, FEMA’s “springing Cabinet position” should be eliminated, as this creates significant unnecessary challenges to the functioning of the whole of DHS at points in time when coordinated responses are most needed. CYBERSECURITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SECURITY AGENCY (CISA) Needed Reforms CISA is supposed to have two key roles: (1) protection of the federal civilian government networks (.gov) while coordinating the execution of national cyber defense and sharing information with non-federal and private-sector partners

Department of Homeland Security

Strong
Vector: 72%
Pages: 186-188AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill aligns strongly with Project 2025's FEMA reform goals by raising disaster declaration thresholds, adjusting cost-share arrangements to incentivize state and local preparedness, and emphasizing mitigation—core elements of the proposed FEMA overhaul. Both seek to reduce federal overreach in disaster response and restore a federalist approach to emergency management."

Key themes:disaster declaration thresholdscost-share reformstate and local preparednessmitigation emphasisfederalism in emergency management

— 153 — Department of Homeland Security l 287(g) program. Issue a memo prohibiting any jurisdiction that applies from being denied access to the program unless good cause is shown. l Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) priorities. Issue Department Management Directive (and ICE companion Directive) to refocus HSI on immigration offenses and criminal offenses typically associated with immigration (for example, human trafficking). All criminal investigative work without a clear nexus to the border or otherwise to Title 8 should be turned over to the appropriate federal agency. l Blackie’s Warrants. ICE OPLA, ERO, and HSI should issue a joint internal memo on operationalizing Blackie’s Warrants for immediate use on worksite enforcement and other appropriate investigations and operations. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA) Needed Reforms FEMA is the lead federal agency in preparing for and responding to disasters, but it is overtasked, overcompensates for the lack of state and local preparedness and response, and is regularly in deep debt. After passage of the 1988 Stafford Act,12 the number of declared federal disasters rose dramatically as most disaster costs were shifted from states and local governments to the federal government. In addition, state-friendly FEMA regulations, such as a “per capita indicator,” failed to maintain the pace of inflation and made it easy to meet disaster declaration thresholds. This combination has left FEMA unprepared in both readiness and funding for the truly catastrophic disasters in which its services are most needed. Reform of FEMA requires a greater emphasis on federalism and state and local preparedness, leaving FEMA to focus on large, widespread disasters. Under the Stafford Act, FEMA has the authority to adjust the per capita indi- cator for damages, which creates a threshold under which states and localities are not eligible for public assistance. FEMA should raise the threshold because the per capita indicator has not kept pace with inflation, and this over time has effectively lowered the threshold for public assistance and caused FEMA’s resources to be stretched perilously thin. Alternatively, applying a deductible could accomplish a similar outcome while also incentivizing states to take a more proactive role in their own preparedness and response capabilities. In addition, Congress should change the cost-share arrangement so that the federal government covers 25 per- cent of the costs for small disasters with the cost share reaching a maximum of 75 percent for truly catastrophic disasters. FEMA is also responsible for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), nearly all of which is issued by the federal government. Washington provides

Department of Housing and Urban Development

Weak
Vector: 67%
Pages: 548-550AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The FEMA Act focuses on emergency management reforms, while the Project 2025 HUD section addresses housing market policies, regulatory delays, and equity initiatives; there is only limited thematic overlap concerning administrative reform and transparency."

Key themes:administrative reformtransparency and accountabilitymitigation/resilience

— 515 — Department of Housing and Urban Development 25. Process must prioritize where political leadership can implement administrative reforms through regulatory action and subregulatory guidance reforms. 26. China and other foreign nations should not be able to disrupt our nation’s housing markets, including by artificially driving up prices and reducing affordability and access to housing for Americans who are crowded out of the market by such market participation. 27. These initiatives are maintained under such designations as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); critical race theory (CRT); black, indigenous, Pacific Islander, and other people of color (BIPOC); and environmental, social, and governance (ESG). 28. At a minimum, these efforts duplicate what the federal government already collects and assesses; at worst, they institute arbitrary procedures in real estate appraisal practices that undermine integrity and perversely introduce arbitrary biases into what should be an unbiased system for determining financial value. 29. Revise regulatory and subregulatory guidance, where applicable within statutory authorities, that adds unnecessary delay and costs to the construction and development of new housing and has been estimated to account for about 40 percent of new housing unit costs in multifamily housing. 30. The Biden Administration has issued a proposed rule to replace the Trump Administration’s “Preserving Community and Neighborhood Choice” rule that had repealed earlier rules expanding AFFH enforcement. See U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Fair Housing, “Preserving Community and Neighborhood Choice,” Final Rule, Federal Register, Vol. 85, No. 153 (August 7, 2020), pp. 47899–47912, https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2020-08-07/pdf/2020-16320.pdf (accessed March 5, 2023), and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of the Secretary, “Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing,” Proposed Rule, Federal Register, Vol. 88, No. 27 (February 9, 2023), pp. 8516–8590, https://www. govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2015-07-16/pdf/2015-17032.pdf (accessed March 5, 2023). 31. Certain pilot initiatives may encourage greater take-up of loan products designed for faster equity accumulation, including loans with shorter terms and accelerated amortization schedules. In concept, the FHA’s Home Equity Accelerator Loan (HEAL) and Good Neighbor Next Door (GNND) pilot initiatives might lead to meaningful wealth generation for first-time buyers, but they should be available to all eligible households only when they do not arbitrarily discriminate based on race or other characteristics. 32. Housing supply does remain a problem in the U.S., but constructing more units at the low end of the market will not solve the problem. Investors and developers can deliver at more efficient cost new units that will allow for greater upward mobility of rental and ownership housing stock and better target increased construction of mid-tier rental units. Further, and more fundamental to the housing supply challenge in markets across the U.S., localities can consider revising land use, zoning, and building regulations that constrict new housing development, adding time delays and costs that impede construction. Federal housing policy should get out of the way where possible and minimize the distortive impact that stimulating greater demand through loose lending can have in driving up housing prices for households that are looking for affordable entry into the housing market. 33. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of the Secretary, “Housing and Community Development Act of 1980: Verification of Eligible Status,” Proposed Rule, Federal Register, Vol. 84, No. 91 (May 10, 2019), pp. 20589–20595, https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2019-05-10/pdf/2019-09566.pdf (accessed March 5, 2023). 34. Reforms should contemplate rent payment flexibilities, allow escrow savings, and set maximum term limits that can reduce implicit penalties for increasing household incomes over eligibility terms for housing assistance and reweight waiting-list prioritization for two-parent households. 35. Some PHAs have been able to implement work requirements and term limit policies in various congressionally authorized demonstration programs, notably the Moving to Work (MTW) demonstration program established in 1996 for 39 PHAs (Congress has since authorized another 100 PHAs) in which participating MTW PHAs were given authority to implement rent reforms, work requirements and other experimental policies in rental assistance programs along with flexibilities in the use of capital and operating appropriations. 36. The FSS program has a general five-year term with a possible two-year extension, which could be applied at the term limit for overall benefits, and certain PHAs have imposed five-year to seven-year term limits. Families in these programs build escrow savings during their term eligibility that helps to facilitate successful transitions to family self-sufficiency and unassisted housing. — 516 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise 37. HUD should implement administrative changes in regulation and guidance and seek statutory authority to end all Housing First directives of Continuum of Care (CoC) grantees and contract homelessness providers in addition to establishing restrictions on local Housing First policies where HUD grant funds are used. 38. The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) was established in the 1990s, and numerous Administrations have devoted enormous resources to the Housing First model, experimenting with various ways to provide federally financed rapid rehousing and permanent housing opportunities. Housing First is a far-left idea premised on the belief that homelessness is primarily circumstantial rather than behavioral. The Housing First answer to homelessness is to give someone a house instead of attempting to understand the underlying causes of homelessness. Federal intervention centered on Housing First has failed to acknowledge that resolving the issue of homelessness is often a matter of resolving mental health and substance abuse challenges. Instead of the permanent supportive housing proffered by Housing First, a conservative Administration should shift to transitional housing with a focus on addressing the underlying issues that cause homelessness in the first place. 39. The Senate Low-Income First-Time Homebuyers (LIFT) Act would address this policy goal. See S. 2797, Low-Income First-Time Homebuyers Act of 2021 (LIFT Homebuyers Act of 2021), 117th Congress, introduced September 22, 2021, https://www.congress.gov/117/bills/s2797/BILLS-117s2797is.pdf (accessed March 5, 2023). 40. FHA did not facilitate the widespread use of 30-year mortgages until the 1950s when, interacting with Federal Reserve policies, federal agencies began broader adoption of the mortgages, which, despite lowering the monthly repayment terms, result in slow equity accumulation and wealth-building opportunities. 41. The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 fundamentally revised the scope of federal regulation in the nation’s housing finance system, placing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac under the purview of a newly established Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and establishing a Housing Trust Fund (HTF) that is administered in the HUD Office of Community Planning and Development. See H.R. 3221, Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, Public Law No. 110-289, 110th Congress, July 30, 2008, https://www.congress. gov/110/plaws/publ289/PLAW-110publ289.pdf (accessed March 5, 2023). 42. Guiding questions: What reforms should be proposed that could be accomplished within five years? What reforms can be done administratively, and what reforms would need legislative authorization? Are there functions that HUD administers that could be achieved more effectively at another department or agency? What big-picture reforms should be proposed that might take more than five years that would reorganize HUD and its programs to meet the objectives in the vision or mission? What would occur in the absence of these public finance subsidies? How much crowd-out do these subsidies create in the market? Would America be a seriously underhoused nation without these subsidies? Who are the policies intended to benefit? What organizational changes must be made? 43. The Faircloth Amendment (Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998) amended the Housing Act of 1937 to maintain public housing units at 1999 levels, preventing housing authorities from maintaining more public housing than they did then. H.R. 4194, Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999, Public Law No. 105-276, 105th Congress, October 21, 1998, Title V, https://www.congress.gov/105/plaws/publ276/PLAW-105publ276.pdf (accessed March 5, 2023). In recent years, the statutory restriction on new construction of public housing units has been circumvented through some narrow uses of preservation programs such as the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program, initially authorized in 2012 and reauthorized several times since under higher program unit conversion caps. Congress also provided paths for renewal and continuation of a portion of existing public housing; project/site-based housing stock (refinancing with long-term HAP contract commitments); and Section 8 units through the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 1997 (MAHRA). H.R. 2158, Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998, Public Law No. 105-65, 105th Congress, October 27, 1997, Title V, https://www.congress.gov/105/plaws/publ65/PLAW-105publ65.pdf (accessed March 5, 2023). 44. As the evolution of HUD rental assistance transitions away from the public housing model toward housing choice vouchers, there should be adequate landlord participation to ensure that the supply of housing units for rent in these programs meets the demand for rent among eligible tenants. This issue has been addressed in various ways, including by a task force instituted at the department during the Trump Administration, but could likely remain a challenge in the administration of the program.

Showing 3 of 5 policy matches

About These Correlations

Policy matches are calculated using a hybrid approach: initial candidates are found using semantic similarity between bill summaries and Project 2025 policy text, then an AI model (Llama 3.1 70B) provides detailed alignment ratings and analysis. Ratings range from 1 (minimal alignment) to 5 (very strong alignment). This analysis does not imply direct causation or intent.

Full Policy Text

Related Bills