FEMA Independence Act of 2023
The FEMA Independence Act of 2023 would restructure the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a cabinet-level independent agency directly reporting to the President, rather than operating within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This would transfer all FEMA functions to the new independent agency within 120 days, establishing a Director appointed by the President with Senate confirmation who oversees FEMA's mission of disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. The bill includes provisions to maintain continuity of operations and personnel during the transition, and updates references to FEMA in other laws to reflect its new status as an independent agency. The change aims to strengthen FEMA's focus on emergency management by removing it from the DHS structure.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Sep 2023
Committee Review
Floor Vote
President
Introduced Sep 20, 2023
Last action Sep 21, 2023
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
4
Key actions
0
Committee
3
Sep 21, 2023
Committee
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
lower
Sep 20, 2023
Committee
Referred to the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology.
lower
Sep 20, 2023
Committee
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
lower
Sep 20, 2023
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
1 primary · 7 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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