Bill · H.R. 5777· House(119-HR-5777)
National Fire Academy RESCUE Act
- Introduced
- 10/17/2025
- Last activity
- 10/17/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- Sponsored by
- April McClain Delaney
- Cosponsors
- - 12 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the ``National Fire Academy RESCUE Act,'' seeks to amend the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974. It directs the Administrator of FEMA to reimburse fire departments for certain expenses when a course or activity is cancelled due to a lapse in appropriations. Reimbursements would cover expenses related to planned participation in Academy courses or conferences. This includes travel and backfill expenses such as staffing adjustments or overtime. The reimbursement must occur within 90 days after the lapse ends or after the itemization is received.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?+2
The bill provides a mechanism for FEMA to reimburse fire departments for expenses incurred due to funding lapses, supporting emergency service continuity.
Would business owners be better off under this?+1
The bill provides financial relief to fire departments for unexpected expenses caused by budget lapses.
Would union members be better off under this?+1
The bill explicitly allows for the reimbursement of backfill expenses which include overtime compensation.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-1
The bill mandates that FEMA must reimburse fire departments for certain expenses, which increases government spending obligations.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Financial protection for fire departments: Fire departments can be reimbursed for covered expenses, such as travel or backsfill expenses (staffing adjustments and overtime), if a course is cancelled because of a lapse in FEMA appropriations (Section 2(a)(1)).
-
Timely reimbursement process: The bill establishes a specific timeline where the FEMA Administrator must reimburse the department not later than 90 days after the end of the lapse or after receiving an itemized application (Section 2(a)(1)).
-
Clear application procedure: Fire chiefs or appropriate heads of a fire department can submit an application for reimbursement including an itemization of expenses within 30 days after a lapse in appropriations ends (Section 2(a)(3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Exclusion of certain cancellations: Reimbursements will not apply if a course or activity is cancelled for "good cause," which includes the closure of an Academy facility for reasons other than a lapse in appropriations, the illness or unavailability of an instructor, or a national emergency (Section 2(a)(2) and Section 2(a)(4)(D)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+1Good For Union Workers+1
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Union Protections+1Reduces Government Spending-1
- 3/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/28/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/24/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 10/17/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
- 8 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Suzanne BonamiciDemocrat · Oregon
Brendan BoyleDemocrat · Pennsylvania
André CarsonDemocrat · Indiana
Angie CraigDemocrat · Minnesota
Henry JohnsonDemocrat · Georgia
Zoe LofgrenDemocrat · California
Greg LandsmanDemocrat · Ohio
Doris MatsuiDemocrat · California
Seth MoultonDemocrat · Massachusetts
LaMonica McIverDemocrat · New Jersey
Joe NeguseDemocrat · Colorado
Suhas SubramanyamDemocrat · Virginia