June 11, 2026
Mr. Neguse (for himself and Ms. Schrier) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
To amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to prohibit determinations of Federal disaster assistance, funding, or relief on the basis of political affiliation and to establish a response timeline for requests for major disaster declarations, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Disaster Relief Integrity and Independence Act
.
Sec. 2. Prohibiting political interference in Federal disaster assistance
Section 308 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5151) is amended—
(1)
by redesignating subsection (b) as subsection (c); and
(2)
by inserting after subsection (a) the following:
(b)
The President may not make determinations of Federal disaster assistance, including declarations of emergencies or major disasters, Federal funding, and other relief and assistance under this Act on the basis of political affiliation within a State, territory, or locality.
Sec. 3. Timeliness in disaster response
Section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5170) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(d) Timeliness in disaster response
(1) In general
Not later than 45 days after receipt of a request for a major disaster declaration under this section from a State, Tribal, or territorial government, the President shall respond to each such request.
(2) Automatic approval
Any request made under paragraph (1) to which the President does not respond not later than 45 days after receipt of such request shall be deemed approved.
(3) Limitation
The deadline under paragraph (1) shall not prevent submission and approval of disaster declaration amendment requests by a State, Tribal, or territorial government.