FEMA Independence Act of 2025
The FEMA Independence Act of 2025 proposes to remove FEMA from the Department of Homeland Security and establish it as a cabinet-level independent agency led by a Senate-confirmed Director who reports directly to the President. The Director would oversee all FEMA functions, including preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation for natural, human-caused, and other hazards. The bill would transfer the entire FEMA portfolio from DHS to the new Agency within one year, create a new leadership structure (Director, up to four Deputy Directors, and 10 regional offices), and mandage a consolidated National Response Plan and a national all-hazards emergency management system. It also alters how federal emergency management grants and related DHS offices are referenced in law, and requires a report within 90 days after the transition period describing recommended follow-up legislation. In short, the bill seeks to give FEMA independent cabinet-level status with direct presidential reporting, remove FEMA functions from DHS, and reshape emergency management leadership, planning, and grant administration around a unified all-hazards framework.
Key Points
- 1Establishes FEMA as a cabinet-level independent agency headed by a Senate-confirmed Director who reports to the President, with the Director added to the Executive Schedule (pay scale) and no longer titled “Administrator.”
- 2Transfers all FEMA functions from the Department of Homeland Security to the new Agency within 1 year, including the agency’s Inspector General functions, with a transition period and DHS support during handover.
- 3Creates a formal leadership and regional structure: a Director, up to 4 Deputy Directors, and 10 Regional Offices each led by a Regional Director.
- 4Requires development and implementation of a comprehensive all-hazards emergency management system, including a consolidated National Response Plan, enhanced emergency communication interoperability, and coordination across federal, state, local, and Tribal partners.
- 5Reforms DHS-related laws and programs to reflect the new structure (including grants, reporting lines, and various conforming amendments) and mandates a report to Congress within 90 days after the transition describing recommended additional legislation.