A bipartisan bill that would dramatically reform the Federal Emergency Management Agency cleared a major procedural hurdle Wednesday.
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee advanced H.R. 4669, the “Fixing Emergency Management for Americans (FEMA) Act,” in a 57-3 vote. The lone “no” votes came from Republican Reps. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, Tim Burchett of Tennessee and Eric Burlison of Missouri.
The bill, led by Transportation and Infrastructure Chair Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and ranking member Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), may be Congress’ best chance of reforming disaster management during this congressional term.
The measure would make FEMA an independent agency, with the administrator reporting directly to the president. FEMA is currently housed under the Department of Homeland Security.
