Disaster Relief Integrity and Independence Act
Sponsored By: Representative Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]
Introduced
Summary
Prevents political bias in awarding federal disaster aid and sets a 45‑day decision clock for major disaster requests. The bill bars using a State's, territory's, or locality's political affiliation to decide emergency or major disaster declarations and related Stafford Act assistance. It also requires the President to respond to major disaster requests within 45 days, and treats requests as approved if there is no response within that period.
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- State, tribal, and territorial governments: A firm 45‑day deadline reduces uncertainty for planning and recovery because an unanswered major disaster request is deemed approved.
- Local communities and disaster survivors: Decisions about emergency or major disaster declarations and related funding may not be made on the basis of political affiliation within a State, territory, or locality.
*Does not create new federal funding or change funding authorizations under the Stafford Act.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Faster, fairer disaster aid for communities
If enacted, when a State, Tribal, or territorial government requests a major disaster declaration, the President would have 45 days to respond. Any request not answered within 45 days would be deemed approved and treated as a declaration. The bill would also prohibit the President from making disaster declarations, funding decisions, or other Stafford Act assistance based on political affiliation within a State, territory, or locality. Together, these changes would aim to speed and protect access to federal disaster aid for households and local businesses in affected areas.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]
CO • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8]
WA • D
Sponsored 6/11/2026
Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6]
OR • D
Sponsored 8/3/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov