FEMA Independence Act of 2025

HR 2308, the FEMA Independence Act of 2025, would establish the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a cabinet-level independent agency within the executive branch, separate from the Department of Homeland Security. The bill would transfer all FEMA functions from the Department of Homeland Security to the new independent agency, with the President appointing a Director who must have at least five years of emergency management experience and five years of executive leadership experience in both public and private sectors. The legislation includes a 365-day transition period for transferring personnel, assets, and functions, and makes conforming amendments to other laws to reflect FEMA's new status. This change would directly affect FEMA employees, the Department of Homeland Security, and the federal emergency management system.