FEMA Operations Continuity Act of 2025

This bill would authorize the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to continue disaster relief, recovery, and mitigation operations during a government shutdown. It proposes to allow FEMA to use Disaster Relief Fund balances for existing and future disaster declarations and maintain the personnel and contracts necessary to process claims and payments without interruption. Additionally, the bill would protect these funds from being withheld or reprogrammed during a lapse in appropriations and would designate these operations as essential for protecting human life and property.

This bill directly affects the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and its personnel by authorizing continued operations and contract support during government shutdowns. It also impacts individuals and public entities eligible for disaster assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act by ensuring the uninterrupted processing of claims and payments. Additionally, the legislation affects federal budget authorities by restricting the withholding or reprogramming of Disaster Relief Fund balances during a lapse in appropriations.

• Authorization of FEMA operations during funding lapses. Permits the Federal Emergency Management Agency to continue disaster relief, recovery, and mitigation operations during a government shutdown.
• Management of Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) resources. Authorizes FEMA to obligate and disburse DRF balances for all current and future disaster declarations, including individual and public assistance under the Stafford Act. The bill also ensures that unobligated DRF balances remain available for expenditure during a lapse in appropriations.
• Personnel and contract support maintenance. Allows FEMA to maintain the staff and contract support required to provide uninterrupted processing of disaster-related claims and payments.
• Protection of funds from withholding or reprogramming. Prohibits disaster relief funds from being withheld, sequestered, or reprogrammed during a shutdown, except as required to comply with the Antideficiency Act.
• Designation of essential operations. Classifies the authorized FEMA operations as essential for protecting human life and property under the Antideficiency Act, thereby exempting them from standard government shutdown restrictions.

The bill modifies the application of the Antideficiency Act by designating certain FEMA operations as essential to protect human life and property during a lapse in appropriations. It also authorizes the continued use of the Disaster Relief Fund for assistance programs established under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.

The bill aims to ensure that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) can maintain uninterrupted disaster relief, recovery, and mitigation operations during a government shutdown. It designates these activities as essential for protecting human life and property, thereby exempting them and their associated funding from restrictions typically imposed by a lapse in appropriations.