H.R. 5780: Federal Emergency Management Continuity Act of 2025
Sponsor
Jared Moskowitz
Democrat · FL-23
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Dec 1, 2025
Assigned to Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management. for review
Why it matters
Introduced on 2025-10-17, the bill aims to stop disaster aid interruptions during any federal funding shutdown by requiring FEMA to keep spending already-appropriated Disaster Relief Fund money.
The scope is broad within FEMA's disaster mission. "Covered program" includes disaster relief, emergency assistance, and recovery programs authorized under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq. The bill specifically names individual assistance under section 408, public assistance under sections 403, 406, 407, and 502, plus other Disaster Relief Fund obligations needed to protect life and property during a funding lapse.
What does H.R. 5780 do?
FEMA must keep spending preapproved disaster money
The bill requires the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to continue obligating and disbursing "covered funds" during a lapse in appropriations. It applies "notwithstanding any other provision of law," and the covered money is limited to Disaster Relief Fund amounts appropriated before the lapse that still remain available.
Only Disaster Relief Fund balances qualify
"Covered funds" are defined specifically as funds in the Disaster Relief Fund that were appropriated before the applicable lapse in appropriation and remain available to be expended. The bill does not provide a new dollar amount, emergency supplemental, or fresh authorization.
Stafford Act section 408 aid stays available
The definition of "covered program" expressly includes individual assistance under section 408 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq. That means FEMA could keep processing and paying this named category of survivor aid during a shutdown.
Public assistance under sections 403, 406, 407, 502 continues
The bill specifically includes public assistance under sections 403, 406, 407, and 502 of the Stafford Act as a "covered program." By naming sections 403, 406, 407, and 502, the text makes clear that multiple core disaster-response and recovery activities can continue during a lapse in appropriations.
Needed FEMA workers become excepted employees
Employees needed to carry out disbursements or related program activities are classified as "excepted employees" under section 1341 of title 31, United States Code, the Anti-Deficiency Act. The bill also says those employees may not be furloughed or reduced in force because of a lapse in appropriations.
Life-and-property protection work can still be funded
Beyond the listed Stafford Act programs, the bill includes other disbursements and obligations from the Disaster Relief Fund for programs or activities necessary to protect life and property during a lapse in appropriations. That gives FEMA flexibility to keep paying for urgent protective work as long as pre-lapse Disaster Relief Fund money remains available.
Who benefits from H.R. 5780?
Disaster survivors seeking FEMA help
People waiting for FEMA assistance would benefit because individual assistance under Stafford Act section 408 is specifically listed as a covered program that can keep receiving Disaster Relief Fund payments during a lapse in appropriations.
States, local governments, and public agencies
Public entities that rely on FEMA reimbursement or direct support would benefit because public assistance under Stafford Act sections 403, 406, 407, and 502 is expressly covered, allowing obligations and disbursements to continue during a shutdown.
FEMA employees handling disaster payments
Workers needed for disbursements or related program activities benefit because the bill classifies them as excepted employees under 31 U.S.C. 1341 and bars furloughs or reductions in force tied to the lapse in appropriations.
Communities facing active emergency threats
Communities dealing with immediate danger benefit because the bill covers other Disaster Relief Fund obligations necessary to protect life and property during a lapse in appropriations, not just the specifically named Stafford Act sections.
Who is affected by H.R. 5780?
FEMA Administrator
The Administrator is directly required to continue obligating and disbursing covered funds during a lapse in appropriations. This is a mandatory duty, not a discretionary option.
Designated FEMA staff during shutdowns
Employees necessary for disbursements and related activities would be treated as excepted employees under section 1341 of title 31 and could not be furloughed or subject to reduction in force because of the funding lapse.
Congress and appropriators
Lawmakers are affected because the bill would limit the practical impact of a shutdown on FEMA disaster aid by allowing spending of Disaster Relief Fund money appropriated before the lapse, even without a new appropriations law in place.
Non-covered federal programs
Programs outside FEMA's covered Disaster Relief Fund activities are not helped by this bill. The text is limited to FEMA and Stafford Act-related disaster relief, emergency assistance, recovery programs, and other life-and-property protection activities funded from the Disaster Relief Fund.
H.R. 5780 Common Questions
Can FEMA still pay disaster assistance during a government shutdown?
Yes. Under the Federal Emergency Management Continuity Act of 2025, FEMA must keep obligating and disbursing eligible Disaster Relief Fund money during a funding lapse (SEC. 2(a)).
Does this bill give FEMA new disaster money during a shutdown?
No. According to HR5780 SEC. 2(c), only Disaster Relief Fund amounts appropriated before the shutdown and still available can be spent; the bill does not create new funding.
Can FEMA individual assistance under Stafford Act section 408 continue during a shutdown?
Yes. Under the Federal Emergency Management Continuity Act of 2025, individual assistance under Stafford Act section 408 is expressly listed as a covered program (SEC. 2(c)).
Which FEMA public assistance sections are protected during a funding lapse?
HR5780 specifically covers Stafford Act public assistance under sections 403, 406, 407, and 502 during a lapse in appropriations (SEC. 2(c)).
Can FEMA workers be furloughed during a shutdown if they process disaster payments?
No. Under the Federal Emergency Management Continuity Act of 2025, employees needed for these disbursements are treated as excepted employees and cannot be furloughed or reduced in force due to the lapse (SEC. 2(b)).
Does the bill let FEMA fund emergency work needed to protect life and property during a shutdown?
Yes. HR5780 includes other Disaster Relief Fund disbursements and obligations necessary to protect life and property during a funding lapse (SEC. 2(c)).
What are covered funds under HR5780?
According to HR5780 SEC. 2(c), covered funds are Disaster Relief Fund amounts appropriated before the lapse in appropriations that still remain available to be spent.
What programs count as covered programs under the FEMA shutdown bill?
Under the Federal Emergency Management Continuity Act of 2025, covered programs include disaster relief, emergency assistance, and recovery programs authorized by the Stafford Act (SEC. 2(c)).
Does HR5780 override other laws to keep FEMA disaster payments going?
Yes. According to HR5780 SEC. 2(a), FEMA must continue these obligations and disbursements during a lapse in appropriations notwithstanding any other provision of law.
Are FEMA disaster payment employees treated as excepted employees under the Anti-Deficiency Act?
Yes. Under the Federal Emergency Management Continuity Act of 2025, necessary FEMA staff are designated excepted employees under 31 U.S.C. 1341 (SEC. 2(b)).
Based on H.R. 5780 bill text
HR5780 Legislative Journey
House: Committee Action
Dec 1, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
House: Committee Action
Oct 17, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
About the Sponsor
Jared Moskowitz
Democrat, Florida's 23rd congressional district · 3 years in Congress
Committees: House Select Subcommittee to Investigate the Remaining Questions Surrounding January 6, 2021, Foreign Affairs, the Judiciary
View full profile →
Cosponsors (5)
All 5 cosponsors are Democrats. Cosponsors represent 4 states: California, Florida, Louisiana, and 1 more.
Committee Sponsors
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
0 of 65 committee members cosponsored
No committee members have cosponsored this bill
31 Democrats across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
H.R. 5780 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Transportation and Infrastructure
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Emergency Management
- Introduced
- Oct 17, 2025
Assigned to Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management. for review
Dec 1, 2025
Official Sources
Official Congress.gov page for the Federal Emergency Management Continuity Act of 2025.
Official FEMA page describing Individual Assistance, which the bill expressly protects under Stafford Act section 408.
Official FEMA page for the Public Assistance program, relevant to the bill's coverage of Stafford Act sections 403, 406, 407, and 502.
Official FEMA overview of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, the core statute referenced throughout the bill.
Official U.S. Code page for 31 U.S.C. 1341, the Anti-Deficiency Act provision used to classify necessary FEMA workers as excepted employees.
H.R. 5780 Bill Text
“To direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to continue to obligate and disburse covered funds in the Disaster Relief Fund during a lapse in appropriations, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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