Jason Patel

The House passed this bill via unanimous consent.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES Mr. COLEMAN of COLORADO, for himself and others, introduced the following bill A BILL To provide supplemental emergency funding to FEMA and support for states affected by severe winter storms in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, ensuring timely and adequate disaster response and recovery. Section 1: Short Title This Act may be cited as the Emergency Disaster Relief Act of 2025. Section 2: Findings and Purpose (a) Findings Severe winter storms have caused extensive damage and disruption across the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic United States, with snowfall reaching up to three feet in certain areas. States of emergency have been declared in multiple states, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and others. Current FEMA resources are stretched thin, addressing overlapping emergencies across multiple states. (b) Purpose To ensure sufficient resources for FEMA to respond effectively to ongoing and future emergencies, this Act authorizes supplemental funding and additional measures to support affected regions. Section 3: Supplemental Appropriations for FEMA (a) Authorization of Appropriations An additional $15 billion is authorized for FEMA for the fiscal year 2025 to address: Emergency response and recovery efforts in states impacted by the severe winter storm. Immediate needs such as shelter, food, and energy restoration for affected populations. Infrastructure repair and snow removal operations. (b) Use of Funds Funds may be allocated for: Deployment of additional FEMA personnel and contractors to affected areas. Emergency financial assistance for individuals and local governments. Support for critical infrastructure restoration, including utilities and transportation systems. Section 4: Regional Coordination and State Support (a) FEMA shall establish regional command centers to coordinate emergency efforts efficiently in: The Northeastern United States, with a focus on Boston, New York, and surrounding areas. The Mid-Atlantic and southern states impacted by storm conditions. (b) FEMA is authorized to provide direct grants to states and municipalities for immediate disaster response needs. (c) States requesting additional resources must submit a detailed report to FEMA outlining: The nature of the request. Expected outcomes and timelines for use of allocated resources. Section 5: Reporting Requirements FEMA shall submit a detailed expenditure report to Congress every 60 days for the duration of the emergency, outlining: The allocation and use of the supplemental appropriations. Progress on response and recovery efforts in affected regions. Section 6: Additional Provisions (a) Oversight The Government Accountability Office (GAO) shall audit the use of funds and report to Congress annually. (b) Expiration of Funds Any unused funds authorized under this Act shall revert to the Treasury by September 30, 2026. (c) Review and Adjustment FEMA shall conduct a review within 180 days to determine if additional funding is required and submit recommendations to Congress. Section 7: Emergency Designation This Act is designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. PES: This bill provides an extra $15 billion in funding to FEMA to help respond to the massive winter storms affecting the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. These storms have caused record snowfall, major disruptions, and widespread damage across multiple states, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. FEMA is overwhelmed and needs more resources to manage the crisis effectively. The money will be used to: Send more FEMA personnel and equipment to the hardest-hit areas. Provide financial help directly to individuals and local governments. Support snow removal, restore power and other utilities, and repair infrastructure like roads and bridges. FEMA will set up regional hubs to coordinate efforts and work closely with states to make sure the resources get where they’re needed most. States must report what they need and how the funds will be used. FEMA will give Congress regular updates on how the money is being spent, and any unused funds will go back to the government by the end of 2026. The Government Accountability Office will oversee the spending to ensure accountability. This bill is marked as an emergency to speed up the funding process and address the urgent needs of millions of people affected by the storms.

This bill has passed the House via unanimous consent and will now be sent to the Senate.