This act ensures the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) can continue essential disaster relief operations and retain necessary staff using existing Disaster Relief Fund money during a government funding lapse.
Jared Moskowitz
Representative
FL-23
The Federal Emergency Management Continuity Act of 2025 ensures that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) can continue essential disaster relief operations during a government funding lapse. This act authorizes the FEMA Administrator to use existing, previously appropriated funds from the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) to maintain critical Stafford Act programs. Furthermore, necessary staff will be retained as "excepted employees" to manage these ongoing life-saving and property-protecting activities.
New Bill Ensures FEMA Disaster Relief Stays Open During Government Shutdowns
When Congress can’t agree on a budget, the government shuts down, and that usually means a lot of essential services hit the brakes. This new legislation, the Federal Emergency Management Continuity Act of 2025, is designed to make sure that one critical service—disaster relief—doesn't stop just because of political gridlock.
The Shutdown Safety Net for Disaster Relief
This bill is essentially an insurance policy against political paralysis for people recovering from a disaster. It grants the FEMA Administrator the authority to keep spending money from the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) even during a federal funding lapse. Think of the DRF as a dedicated savings account for emergencies; the bill ensures that if Congress closes the checking account, FEMA can still use the savings that were already earmarked for specific relief efforts. This covers all the core programs authorized by the Robert T. Stafford Act, including Individual Assistance (money for homeowners and renters) and Public Assistance (funds to rebuild infrastructure like roads and utilities).
No More Furloughs for Essential Staff
If you’ve ever been waiting for a disaster claim check, the last thing you need is the FEMA office closing its doors. This bill addresses that by protecting the staff who handle those claims. It mandates that employees necessary to manage these payments and programs must keep working. They are officially designated as “excepted employees,” meaning they won’t be furloughed or sent home without pay during a shutdown. This is a huge deal for anyone trying to navigate the recovery process, ensuring that the people processing claims and coordinating aid stay on the job, regardless of the budget drama in D.C.
Why This Matters in the Real World
Imagine a family in Florida whose home was damaged by a hurricane. They’ve filed their claim and are waiting for the final check to start repairs. Without this bill, a government shutdown could halt that payment, leaving them in limbo for weeks or months. This legislation prevents that. The money already sitting in the DRF for their recovery stays accessible, and the FEMA staff needed to push the paperwork through stay at their desks. For small towns rebuilding a damaged bridge or a family waiting on housing assistance, this bill means continuity and predictability during what is already a chaotic time. It’s a straightforward, practical fix designed to keep critical aid flowing when the rest of the government might be stalled.