All Roll Calls
Yes: 451 • No: 45
118-hr-10545118th CongressWALLET
American Relief Act, 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Cole, Tom [R-OK-4]
Became Law
Summary
Massive multi‑agency emergency funding for disasters and agriculture. This law creates a broad disaster relief and emergency package, extends key health and agriculture authorities, and extends short-term funding through March 14, 2025.
Show full summary
- Families and children get help through two $250 million tranches for the Child Care and Development Block Grant and extended Community Health Center support to keep care and clinics operating.
- Farmers and producers receive $30.8 billion in USDA disaster aid and a new 2024 crop‑year economic assistance program that pays 26% of calculated per‑acre economic losses with defined payment limits.
- Disaster‑hit communities and infrastructure get large rebuilding pools including $29.0 billion for FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund and $12.0 billion for HUD Community Development Block Grant disaster recovery to support long‑term recovery and water systems.
*Adds large emergency spending to federal outlays and will increase federal spending versus baseline; these amounts are designated emergency and are not counted on PAYGO scorecards.*
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
27 provisions identified: 24 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
Medicare telehealth and home care extended
Medicare keeps telehealth flexibilities through March 31, 2025. You can get care from more provider types, in any location, and by audio-only when allowed. Hospice recertification can use telehealth, and FQHCs/RHCs can keep serving by telehealth. The in-person visit rule for mental health telehealth is delayed until April 1, 2025. Medicare Part D also keeps covering certain oral antivirals through March 31, 2025. Hospitals can keep offering acute hospital-at-home care through March 31, 2025.
More funding for local health care
Community Health Centers receive new funding, including $1.05 billion for Jan 1–Mar 31, 2025. Teaching Health Centers and the National Health Service Corps also get short‑term funding through March 31, 2025. This helps clinics and clinicians serve more patients in underserved areas.
Disaster relief for fisheries
NOAA gets $300 million for fishery disaster relief, available until spent. The agency can review Tribal salmon and urchin disaster requests received before September 30, 2025. Some funds will top up 2024 fishery disasters that were only partly funded.
More SBA disaster loans funding
SBA gets $2.249 billion to cover the cost of direct disaster loans. $50 million goes to SBA’s Inspector General, and up to $613 million may fund program administration. Funds remain available until spent.
Grants for disaster-hit economies
The law provides $1.51 billion for economic adjustment in areas with major disaster declarations. Up to 3% may cover administration. $10 million goes to the Delta Regional Authority and $7 million to the Commerce Inspector General. Funds remain available until spent.
More FEMA disaster money available
The law adds $29 billion to FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund. $28 billion is for major disasters, and $4 million goes to FEMA’s Inspector General for audits. The money stays available until spent, helping families, renters, and businesses recover.
More money for New Mexico water projects
The law raises authorized funding for Northwestern New Mexico rural water projects to $1.64 billion, up from $870 million. It updates the statute year to 2025. This adds money for local drinking water and other infrastructure during the law’s covered period.
More money for water systems
States get $3.0 billion to improve clean and drinking water infrastructure. $1.23 billion goes to Clean Water funds and $1.77 billion to Drinking Water funds. Each state must use at least 30% of its grant for subsidized help like loan forgiveness. No state match is required.
Public health and safety powers extended
National public health emergency and security authorities stay in place through March 31, 2025. Temporary federal scheduling for fentanyl‑related substances also extends to March 31, 2025. Federal cybersecurity operations and anti‑drone protections are extended to March 14, 2025. These steps support ongoing health and safety responses.
Stronger weather and hurricane systems
NOAA may apportion up to $625 million to keep the GOES satellite schedule on track. It also gets $244 million for disaster repairs and services and $499 million for disaster needs, including $399 million for hurricane hunter aircraft. Some funds stay available until September 30, 2026; others remain until spent. NOAA must send spending plans within 45 days.
Government funding extended to March 14
The law keeps the government funded under current terms through March 14, 2025. This helps avoid a shutdown while longer‑term bills are decided.
Medicare Improvement Fund cut to $1.25 billion
The law lowers the Medicare Improvement Fund to $1.251 billion, down from $3.197 billion. This reduces money available for Medicare payment updates and related activities. The change takes effect upon enactment.
Medicare hospital and ambulance supports
The law extends higher payments for low-volume and Medicare‑Dependent hospitals into 2025. It keeps ambulance add‑on payments through April 1, 2025. It also delays a change to the physician work geographic index floor until April 1, 2025. These steps help keep local hospital and ambulance services available.
One‑time help for 2024 crops
If you grew an eligible crop in 2024 and expected returns per acre are below expected costs, USDA pays a one‑time assistance payment. Payments must be made within 90 days after the law is signed. The law does not set the payment amount.
Easier rural disaster aid options
Rural disaster funds can be given as loans, grants, guarantees, or cooperative agreements. Governors can also obligate funds. The Agriculture Secretary can waive some limits for utility replacement, use local or State income data, and drop the private‑credit test for certain grants. These changes expand access to help after disasters.
Farm bill programs continue into 2025
Many 2018 farm bill authorities continue until at least September 30, 2025 or their prior end dates. Dairy margin coverage and related dates extend through December 31, 2025, and the dairy forward pricing program runs to 2028. Certain cotton references extend to 2026. Some programs still need appropriations, and some exceptions apply. Ongoing agriculture reports continue on their normal schedule if funded.
Tighter steps before funds are used
Emergency‑designated funds are available only after the President also designates them and tells Congress. Agencies must send operating plans within 45 days and cannot obligate these title funds before doing so. Agencies must update plans every 60 days or quarterly until funds are spent or expire.
Diabetes programs funded through March
The law funds the Special Diabetes Program and the Special Diabetes Program for Indians. Each gets $39.26 million for Jan 1–Mar 31, 2025. Funds remain available until spent.
More help for seniors and families
Funding rises for State Health Insurance Assistance Programs and Area Agencies on Aging to $22.5 million through March 31, 2025. Aging and Disability Resource Centers get $8.5 million through March 31, 2025. Family‑to‑Family Health Information Centers get $3 million, with dates updated to April 1, 2025.
Grants to save historic sites
The law gives $50 million for preserving historic and cultural resources in areas with major disaster declarations. No non‑Federal match is required. Work must meet Interior Department standards. Funds remain available until spent.
Funds for D.C. inauguration security
Washington, D.C. gets $90 million for emergency planning and security. At least $50 million must cover January 2025 Presidential Inauguration costs. Funds can be apportioned to keep planning and security going.
Commodity futures whistleblower program extended
The law moves program dates for the commodity futures whistleblower program from October 1, 2024 to March 14, 2025. It applies as if in effect on September 30, 2024. This keeps the program’s rules and protections in place longer.
Medicaid hospital cut delayed to April
Medicaid DSH payment cuts are delayed from January 1 to April 1. Hospitals keep higher DSH payments until April 1, 2025.
More funds to review care quality
Funding for endorsing and selecting health quality measures rises to $11.03 million. This funding lasts through March 31, 2025.
Sexual risk avoidance education extended to March 2025
The law extends the Sexual Risk Avoidance Education program through March 31, 2025. Grants and program authority stay in place until that date. This keeps education services for teens running without a gap.
Youth education grants extended
The Personal Responsibility Education program continues through March 31, 2025. Grant authority and program rules stay active until that date.
Extra criminal special fee extended
The added criminal special assessment applies through March 14, 2025. Courts can charge it for a longer period.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Cole, Tom [R-OK-4]
OK • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Edwards, Chuck [R-NC-11]
NC • R
Sponsored 12/20/2024
Roll Call Votes
senate vote • 12/21/2024
On Passage of the Bill H.R. 10545
Yes: 85 • No: 11
house vote • 12/20/2024
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass
Yes: 366 • No: 34