HR 5780119th CongressIn Committee

Federal Emergency Management Continuity Act of 2025

Introduced: Oct 17, 2025

Sponsor: Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23] (D-Florida)

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The Federal Emergency Management Continuity Act of 2025 (H.R. 5780) would require FEMA to keep obligating and disbursing funds from the Disaster Relief Fund even if there is a lapse in federal appropriations. It authorizes continuation of support for “covered programs” and defines “covered funds” as pre-lapse appropriated money still available for use. The bill also designates essential FEMA employees involved in these disbursements as excepted from typical furloughs under the Anti-Deficiency Act. In short, the bill is intended to ensure that disaster relief and recovery work can continue during funding gaps, using funds already appropriated, and shield key staff from furloughs while doing so.

Key Points

1Notwithstanding any other law, FEMA must continue obligating and disbursing “covered funds” for “covered programs” during a lapse in appropriations.
2Essential FEMA employees involved in these activities are treated as excepted employees under the Anti-Deficiency Act and may not be furloughed or reduced due to the lapse.
3Definitions:
4- Covered funds: Disaster Relief Fund money that was appropriated before the lapse and remains available to spend.
5- Covered programs: Disaster relief, emergency assistance, and recovery programs authorized under the Stafford Act, including individual assistance (IA) and public assistance (PA) and other related activities to protect life and property during a lapse.
6The bill is titled the “Federal Emergency Management Continuity Act of 2025.”
7The authority to continue funding relies on funds already appropriated; no new or supplemental appropriations are created by this bill.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected:- Individuals and communities relying on disaster relief and recovery programs (IA and PA) who would continue to receive assistance and services during a funding lapse.Secondary group/area affected:- FEMA personnel and contractors involved in disaster relief operations who would remain on duty without furloughs for the duration of the lapse.Additional impacts:- Operational continuity for life-saving and property-protecting activities during a government funding lapse.- Potential legal and governance implications regarding compliance with the Anti-Deficiency Act, given the carve-out to keep certain activities and staff in operation.- Financial management considerations, since only pre-lapse, already appropriated funds would be used; no new funding authorizations are provided.

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