FEMA Operations Continuity Act of 2025
The FEMA Operations Continuity Act of 2025 would, during any lapse in congressional appropriations, authorize the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to keep core disaster relief work going. Specifically, it allows FEMA to continue disaster relief, recovery, and mitigation activities funded through the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF), to obligate and spend DRF balances for all existing and future disaster declarations (including individual and public assistance under key Stafford Act authorities), and to maintain necessary personnel and contracts to ensure uninterrupted processing of claims and payments. The bill also ensures DRF unobligated balances stay available and cannot be diverted or withheld (except as required by the Anti-Deficiency Act), and it declares FEMA operations under this act essential and exempt from shutdown restrictions. In short, if Congress has not appropriated funds, this bill would keep FEMA’s disaster response machinery moving using existing DRF resources, keeping people funded, claims processed, and disaster assistance flowing for declared events.
Key Points
- 1Activation during a lapse in funding: FEMA is authorized to continue disaster relief, recovery, and mitigation activities during a budget lapse.
- 2Use of the Disaster Relief Fund: FEMA may obligate and disburse DRF balances for all existing and future disaster declarations, including individual and public assistance authorities under the Stafford Act.
- 3Staffing and contract support: FEMA must maintain personnel and contract support to ensure uninterrupted processing of claims and payments.
- 4Availability and protection of DRF balances: All unobligated DRF balances remain available for use during a lapse, and funds may not be withheld, sequestered, or reprogrammed except as necessary to comply with the Anti-Deficiency Act.
- 5Essential operations exemption: FEMA activities authorized under this act are treated as essential to protect life and property and are exempt from typical shutdown restrictions.