FEMA Independence Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator Thomas Tillis
Introduced
Summary
Turn FEMA into a standalone, cabinet-level emergency management agency focused on an all-hazards mission of preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation, and resilience. The bill would create a single Director with authority to lead federal responses, consolidate federal plans into a single National Response Plan, and establish ten regional offices.
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- Families and disaster survivors: Would strengthen federal capacity to provide evacuations, food, water, shelter, medical care, and long-term resilience after major disasters.
- State, local, and Tribal emergency officials: Would centralize federal planning and require interoperable communications and coordinated readiness for emergency support functions to make federal support clearer during catastrophic events.
- Federal leaders and FEMA staff: Would create a President-appointed Director confirmed by the Senate who must have at least five years of executive leadership in public and five years in private sector roles, and would transfer FEMA functions to the new Agency one year after enactment with incumbents keeping pay and grade protections for at least that first year.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Expanded FEMA Response and Grants
If enacted, the bill would direct the Agency to lead all-hazards mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. The Agency would position equipment and staff, help evacuate people, and provide food, water, shelter, and medical care during disasters. The bill would define 'hazard' to include major disasters or emergencies declared under the Stafford Act. It would also require 10 Regional Offices and make the Director responsible for supervising the Agency's grant programs. These rules take effect when transfers under section 6 are carried out.
Make FEMA a Cabinet Department
If enacted, the bill would make FEMA an independent Cabinet department. The change would take effect when FEMA functions move under section 6, not later than 1 year after enactment. The bill would repeal several Homeland Security Act sections that currently govern FEMA. It would also add the Agency to the federal Chief Financial Officer list to improve financial oversight.
New FEMA Director and Deputies
If enacted, the bill would create a Director to run the Agency, appointed by the President with Senate confirmation. The Director must have demonstrated emergency management and homeland security expertise and at least 5 years of executive experience in both the public and private sectors. The President could appoint up to four Deputy Directors (also with Senate confirmation). Executive Schedule employees who move into comparable Agency duties would keep at least their prior compensation while serving.
Transfer FEMA Functions and Staff
If enacted, the bill would move all FEMA functions, personnel, assets, liabilities, contracts, records, and unexpended funds to the new Agency. The transfers must be carried out not later than 1 year after enactment, and DHS must assist during the transition. The bill would preserve ongoing legal proceedings and require that most transferred employees not be separated or reduced in grade or pay for one year after transfer.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Thomas Tillis
NC • R
Cosponsors
Alex Padilla
CA • D
Sponsored 4/2/2025
Ted Budd
NC • R
Sponsored 5/13/2025
Raphael Warnock
GA • D
Sponsored 5/13/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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