Bipartisan House leaders introduced a bill Thursday that would overhaul the Federal Emergency Management Agency even as the Trump administration mulls its future.
Both parties have eyed big changes to FEMA for years now, with the aim of streamlining disaster assistance. The “Fixing Emergency Management for Americans (FEMA) Act,” H.R. 4669, could be the best chance to get something done this Congress.
The legislation is being led by Transportation and Infrastructure Chair Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and ranking member Rick Larsen (D-Wash.). It would make FEMA an independent agency, with the administrator reporting directly to the president. FEMA is currently housed under the Department of Homeland Security.
The bill also includes a litany of provisions to streamline the grant application process for states and individuals, increase coordination across the federal government and set up accountability measures including an inspector general for FEMA.
