H.R. 5648 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Appropriations, Sep 30, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryKeeps disaster aid flowing during shutdown
If the government runs out of funding and shuts down in 2026, this bill makes sure FEMA can still help people and communities dealing with disasters. It provides money for things like financial aid to disaster victims, recovery projects that are already underway, and the salaries of FEMA workers who respond to emergencies. The funds stay available until Congress passes a regular budget or until January 1, 2027.
How it affects you
If you live in an area hit by a disaster and a government shutdown happens, this bill means you could still get FEMA assistance and that recovery projects wouldn't stop. For people waiting on aid from previously declared disasters, ongoing payments and grants would continue. For most others, this mainly affects how government runs in the background during a shutdown.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Sep 30, 2025)
Disaster Relief Continuity Act of 2025
This bill provides appropriations to continue certain disaster relief programs and activities during a government shutdown in FY2026.
Specifically, the bill provides appropriations to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for any period during FY2026 in which interim or full-year appropriations are not in effect (i.e., a government shutdown). The bill provides the appropriations for carrying out certain activities under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, including
• providing financial and operational support for declared major disasters and emergencies, including individual assistance, direct aid, and necessary life-saving and life-sustaining activities;
• covering the salaries and expenses of essential FEMA personnel directly involved in disaster response, recovery, mitigation; and grant disbursement; and
• continuing payments and grants for existing, federally-funded disaster recovery projects.
The funds provided by this bill are available until the earlier of (1) the enactment into law of specified appropriations legislation, or (2) January 1, 2027.
The funds may not be used for or nonessential administrative functions, new policy development, or nondisaster-related training or travel.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 5648
A BILL
Disaster Relief Continuity Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Tim Moore (R-NC-14) · Introduced Sep 30, 2025 · Emergency Management · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Sep 30, 2025: “Referred to the House Committee on Appropriations.”