House and Senate Action
The House and Senate are both in recess through the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
Ag Committee Leaders Start Farm Bill Extension Talks
Last week, Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) unveiled the long-awaited text of her Farm Bill reauthorization proposal. However, with so few legislative days remaining and no bipartisan agreement in place, Republicans were quick to reject Stabenow’s last minute push. Instead, House and Senate leaders have started formal talks to negotiate another one-year extension, with the disaster supplemental and/or the year-end stopgap funding package as the likely legislative vehicle for such an effort.
Biden Administration Requests Nearly $100 Billion in Disaster Funding
Last week, the Biden administration submitted a $98.4 billion emergency funding request to Congress to bolster the federal response to recent disasters. The proposal includes $40 billion to replenish FEMA’s disaster relief fund, which supports efforts such as debris removal, public infrastructure repairs, and financial assistance for survivors. Additionally, $24 billion is earmarked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to assist farmers facing crop losses due to natural disasters. The USDA funding also addresses wildland firefighter pay, nutrition assistance, and repairs to rural infrastructure. The request also allocates $12 billion to replenish the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery account and $8 billion for rebuilding and repairing federal-aid highways, bridges, and roads. Smaller funding allocations are designated for community development, health services, water system improvements, schools, and small business loans. While there is bipartisan consensus among House and Senate leaders on the need for a disaster supplemental, House Republicans may push back on the full funding request. Looking ahead, lawmakers are aiming to finalize the package sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
House, Senate Panels Hear from FEMA Administrator
Last week, congressional panels on both sides of the Capitol convened oversight hearings to assess FEMA’s preparedness and effectiveness in managing recent disasters. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell testified at all three sessions. Among other things, she highlighted proactive measures taken by the agency, such as pre-positioning personnel and supplies, activating the National Response Coordination Center (NRCC), and working closely with NOAA for accurate storm monitoring. She also emphasized the agency’s ongoing communication with state, local, and tribal partners to ensure coordinated disaster responses.
In addition, the hearings addressed allegations of political bias in aid distribution, sparked by reports of a FEMA supervisor instructing workers to avoid assisting homes displaying support for President-elect Donald Trump. Criswell strongly condemned these actions, confirmed the dismissal of the employee, and assured lawmakers of a thorough investigation to prevent any recurrence. She also reaffirmed FEMA’s commitment to equitable and impartial disaster relief.
Another key issue discussed was the agency’s strained Disaster Relief Fund, particularly after such a severe hurricane season. Criswell, and other federal officials, urged Congress to approve the Biden administration’s request for additional disaster funding. However, some GOP lawmakers expressed doubts about FEMA’s resource allocation, criticizing the Biden administration’s focus on broader policy goals – like equity, climate change, and migrant assistance – which they argued have detracted from FEMA’s core mission.
A number of lawmakers, particularly those whose districts were impacted by recent disasters, offered their suggestions for reform. For example, Representative Kathy Castor (D-FL), who testified before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, advocated for modernized infrastructure, increased mitigation funding, and flexible loans for homeowners and small businesses. Meanwhile, Representative Chuck Edwards (R-NC) – who also appeared before the T&I Committee –emphasized the need for better support in non-traditional flood zones like mountainous areas.
Additional details on the hearings can be accessed here, here, and here.
Senate Panel Advances Measure to Improve Damage Assessment Process
On November 20, the Senate Homeland Security Committee advanced legislation – the Federal Disaster Assistance Coordination Act (H.R. 255) – that would establish a Federal working group led by FEMA, in collaboration with the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, to identify ways to reduce duplication and modernize the Federal damage assessment process. The group would also look for ways to speed up the assessment process and distribute responsibilities for the process between relevant federal agencies. The findings and recommendations, along with a comprehensive report on the plans, must be submitted to Congress, made public, and posted on FEMA’s website. The measure, which has already passed the House, is now pending before the full chamber.
House Committee Considers Grant Program to Improve Search and Rescue Operations on Public Lands
On November 19, the Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a legislative hearing on nine bills within the panel’s jurisdiction, including a bill – the Public Land Search and Rescue Act (H.R. 9165) – that would establish a grant program to assist states and authorized local governments with the costs of search and rescue activities on federal land. This includes any activity that utilizes, trains, or supports responders with specialized equipment to locate, assist, and safely remove individuals who are lost, injured, stranded, or entrapped in remote areas as well as recover deceased individuals. Priority would be given to recipients that serve an area with a high ratio of visitors to residents. Pursuant to H.R. 9165, the grant would cover up to 75% of equipment costs, with the grantee providing the remaining 25%. Another measure on the docket (H.R. 7666) would require the USDA to develop a strategy to increase opportunities to utilize livestock grazing as a means of wildfire risk reduction. More details on the hearing can be accessed here.
House Approves Bipartisan Bill to Change Social Security Benefit Rules for Pensioners
The House recently approved legislation (H.R. 82) that would repeal two provisions in law – the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) – that reduce Social Security benefits for individuals who receive pension benefits from state or local governments. The WEP lowers Social Security benefits for individuals who worked in jobs where they did not pay Social Security payroll taxes and now receive pension or disability benefits from those employers. Similarly, the GPO reduces Social Security benefits for spouses, widows, and widowers who also receive pension checks. It should be noted that the House rejected a related bill – the Equal Treatment of Public Servants Act (H.R. 5342) – that would have replaced the WEP with a new formula.