Bill · S. 4075· Senate(119-S-4075)
Pay FEMA Personnel Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 3/12/2026
- Last activity
- 3/12/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
- Sponsored by
- Alex Padilla
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Pay FEMA Personnel Act of 2026" provides continuing appropriations for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) during a government shutdown for fiscal year 2026. It ensures that FEMA employees receive their standard pay, benefits, and other payments. The bill covers personnel carrying out the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act and those administering other grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements. It also supports activities necessary for every FEMA grant program. These funds remain available until a full appropriation is passed or until September 30, 2026.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?+10
Guarantees FEMA pay and operations during a shutdown, ensuring uninterrupted disaster relief.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+5
Ensures disaster grants and aid continue to flow to vulnerable populations during a shutdown.
Would middle-income households be better off under this?+3
Maintains emergency services and disaster relief availability.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?-1
Increases federal spending via continuing appropriations.
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-1
Provides additional funding for FEMA personnel during a shutdown.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Guaranteed Pay for Emergency Personnel: Section 2(a)(1) ensures employees required to carry out the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act receive their standard pay and benefits. This maintains the workforce responsible for disaster relief.
-
Continuity of Grant Administration: Section 2(a)(2) and 2(a)(3) provide funding for employees administering grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements, as well as activities for every FEMA grant program. This helps ensure that federal assistance continues to flow.
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Uninterrupted Grant Funding: Section 2(b) specifies that the Administrator is not prohibited from awarding or disbursing grant program funding. This allows financial assistance to reach its intended destinations despite a shutdown.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts for people are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+10
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+5Good For Middle Class Households+3
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending-1Reduces National Debt-1
- Healthcare
- Improves Pandemic Preparedness+2
- 3/12/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California