CivicIndex

Federal Policy

Emergency Management and Disaster Response

Federal emergency management policy covers FEMA, disaster declarations, flood insurance, wildfire response, and hazard mitigation grants. Major hurricanes and wildfires regularly drive new legislation, often around insurance reform and infrastructure hardening.

Committees with jurisdiction

  • House Committee on Homeland Security
  • Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
  • House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
  • Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
  • Homeland Security

Members who specialize in this area

Leadership

Committee members

129 more members on jurisdictional committees not shown.

Recent bills in this area

  • HR. 8874 — Homeland Security Capabilities Preservation Reporting Act of 2026

    Sponsor:
    Troy A. Carter · Democratic · LA
    Latest action:
    Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 30 - 0.

  • SRES. 741 — A resolution designating May 2026 as "National Wildfire Preparedness Month".

    Latest action:
    Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

  • HR. 8466 — TRUE Accountability Act

    Sponsor:
    Andy Biggs · Republican · AZ
    Latest action:
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

  • HR. 9021 — Stay Cool Act

    Sponsor:
    Bonnie Watson Coleman · Democratic · NJ
    Latest action:
    Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology, Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Education and Workforce, 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.

  • HRES. 1308 — Designating May 2026 as "National Wildfire Preparedness Month".

    Sponsor:
    Norma J. Torres · Democratic · CA
    Latest action:
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

  • HR. 8846 — Tornado Preparedness Act

    Sponsor:
    Wesley Bell · Democratic · MO
    Latest action:
    Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 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.

  • HRES. 1291 — Expressing support for the recognition of May 3 through May 9, 2026, as Wildfire Preparedness Week, the national event educating the public on fire safety and preparedness, and supporting the goals of a Wildfire Preparedness Week.

    Sponsor:
    Norma J. Torres · Democratic · CA
    Latest action:
    Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

  • HR. 8695 — No Delays in Disaster Relief Act

    Sponsor:
    Julia Letlow · Republican · LA
    Latest action:
    Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Frequently asked

Who declares federal disasters?

The President declares federal disasters, usually at the request of a Governor. The declaration unlocks FEMA aid, low-interest SBA loans, and other federal resources for affected jurisdictions.