Extreme Heat Emergency Act of 2025

Extreme Heat Emergency Act of 2025 would expand the federal disaster relief framework by adding “extreme temperature” to the list of events that can qualify as a major disaster under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. By inserting this term before “drought” in the statute’s definition, the bill would allow the President to declare extreme temperature events (such as severe heat waves or extreme cold) as major disasters, which can trigger federal disaster assistance to states, localities, and individuals. The measure does not authorize new funding; any relief would come from existing disaster-relief authorities and appropriations. In short, if extreme heat or extreme cold meets the President’s criteria for a major disaster, federal aid could be mobilized under the Stafford Act, subject to the usual declaration process, without creating new federal spending authorization.