Bill · S. 5018· Senate(119-S-5018)
Disaster Relief Fairness Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 7/16/2026
- Last activity
- 7/16/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4139-4140)
- Sponsored by
- John Reed
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is called the Disaster Relief Fairness Act of 2026. It deals with requests for major disaster declarations made by State Governors or Indian tribal government Chief Executives. The bill covers requests submitted between January 20, 2025, and January 20, 2029. Under this legislation, certain disaster requests are considered approved by the President. It also ensures that the President must provide the requested assistance if specific damage or assistance thresholds are met. Finally, it stops the President from denying or withholding disaster assistance just because a deadline was missed.
Yes· 3 of 26
Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster?+9
Significantly streamlines and guarantees disaster declarations and relief distribution, preventing denials due to missed deadlines.
Does this repair or build roads and bridges?+5
Ensures public assistance funds are reliably approved to repair damaged public infrastructure like roads and bridges.
Does this leave more decisions to the states?+5
Empowers state governors and tribal chief executives by ensuring their disaster declaration requests receive mandatory approval.
The opposite
Does this give the federal government more power?-3
Mandates presidential approval of disaster declarations under specific conditions, limiting executive discretion.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2(b) ensures that disaster requests are deemed approved and that the President must provide the requested assistance if damage estimates meet public assistance indicators or if a FEMA Regional Administrator determines individual assistance is warranted. This is a positive outcome because it helps people get disaster relief faster when damage thresholds are met or when individual help is justified.
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Section 2(c) states that the President cannot withhold or deny disaster assistance solely because of a missed deadline. This provision protects people and local leaders by making sure they do not lose critical help just because paperwork or a request was late.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Based on the provided text, there are no specific sections or provisions identified that create negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
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 Low Income Households+4Good For Native Americans+4Good For Rural Residents+4Good For Business Owners+3Good For Children+3Good For Farmers+3Good For Middle Aged+3Good For Middle Class Households+3Good For People With Disabilities+3Good For Retirees+3Good For Seniors+3Good For Urban Residents+3Good For Young Adults+3Good For African Americans+2Good For Hispanic Americans+2Good For Veterans+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+9Improves Roads And Bridges+5Improves Public Transit+3Improves Rural Development+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Increase States Rights+5Improves Due Process+4Improves Government Transparency+2Increases Federal Power-3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+2Reduces Homelessness+2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+2
- 7/16/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4139-4140)
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat · Rhode Island