FEMA Distribution Act

February 24, 2023

By Betsy Piernicky

On February 23rd, 2023, delegates from several states in the House Homeland Security Committee worked together to co-author the FEMA Distribution Act, a bill that would reallocate 32% of the disaster relief fund and change the application process to make disaster relief funding more accessible.  

Written by RI-2, NJ-10, MA-8, NY-14, VA-14, NY-9, and VA-4, the bill aims to benefit low-income communities and serves to empower local governments to become involved in relief efforts. 

     “Our idea with this bill was to change the way the money would be distributed. The amount of money each state would receive would be directly proportional to the population of the state, and those with a low income would be prioritized in receiving aid over those in higher tax brackets,” Representative Yvette Clarke, NY-9 said. 

The state would be able to choose what disaster received the aid and how the money would be distributed. The relief efforts made by the states would be overseen and regulated by a federal committee under FEMA. Additionally, this committee will be funded and supported by a portion of the funds from the disaster relief funding.

The other 68% of the disaster relief fund will still be available upon application. This bill would change the application process. It has formerly been hard to apply and hard to be selected to receive aid. 

     “This bill will help make the application process to receive aid easier, that way the other 68% of the disaster relief fund will still be accessible and easily acquired by those who need it. Making the process easier will benefit more people, and ultimately work to better serve those in need in our communities. So many people do not have the assets to access this resource, and we want to change that.” NY-9 said. 

Voting for this bill will occur in days to come. Until then, the Homeland Security Committee is working on other bills that address FEMA and its funding.