Legis Daily

Disaster Declaration Transparency Act of 2026

USA119th CongressHR-8577| House 
| Updated: 4/29/2026
Raja Krishnamoorthi

Raja Krishnamoorthi

Democratic Representative

Illinois

Cosponsors (2)
Brittany Pettersen (Democratic)Joe Neguse (Democratic)

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rules Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The Disaster Declaration Transparency Act of 2026 creates a new mechanism allowing Congress to overturn a President's refusal to declare a major disaster. This process is triggered when a state Governor requests a declaration, and the President declines it either against the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator's recommendation or based on a FEMA recommendation that deviates from established precedent. Following such a "covered refusal," the President must provide a written explanation to Congress within 24 hours. Upon notification, members of Congress can introduce a "covered joint resolution" within 14 days, specifically directing the President to declare the disaster. The bill establishes expedited legislative procedures for this resolution in both the House and Senate. These procedures include automatic committee discharge after two days, waiver of most procedural objections, and strict limits on debate, ensuring a swift vote. Crucially, the joint resolution cannot be amended , and debate on final passage is limited to a few hours. The bill also outlines specific rules for how each chamber handles a joint resolution passed by the other, aiming to streamline the process. If the President vetoes such a joint resolution, the bill provides for an expedited 10-hour debate in the Senate for a potential override. These provisions are enacted as an exercise of congressional rulemaking power, designed to ensure transparency and accountability in federal disaster declaration decisions.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Apr 29, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-4433
Introduced in Senate
Apr 29, 2026
Introduced in House
Apr 29, 2026
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, 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.
  • April 29, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-4433
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 29, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • April 29, 2026
    Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, 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.

Related Bills

  • S 119-4433: Disaster Declaration Transparency Act of 2026

Disaster Declaration Transparency Act of 2026

USA119th CongressHR-8577| House 
| Updated: 4/29/2026
The Disaster Declaration Transparency Act of 2026 creates a new mechanism allowing Congress to overturn a President's refusal to declare a major disaster. This process is triggered when a state Governor requests a declaration, and the President declines it either against the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator's recommendation or based on a FEMA recommendation that deviates from established precedent. Following such a "covered refusal," the President must provide a written explanation to Congress within 24 hours. Upon notification, members of Congress can introduce a "covered joint resolution" within 14 days, specifically directing the President to declare the disaster. The bill establishes expedited legislative procedures for this resolution in both the House and Senate. These procedures include automatic committee discharge after two days, waiver of most procedural objections, and strict limits on debate, ensuring a swift vote. Crucially, the joint resolution cannot be amended , and debate on final passage is limited to a few hours. The bill also outlines specific rules for how each chamber handles a joint resolution passed by the other, aiming to streamline the process. If the President vetoes such a joint resolution, the bill provides for an expedited 10-hour debate in the Senate for a potential override. These provisions are enacted as an exercise of congressional rulemaking power, designed to ensure transparency and accountability in federal disaster declaration decisions.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Apr 29, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-4433
Introduced in Senate
Apr 29, 2026
Introduced in House
Apr 29, 2026
Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, 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.
  • April 29, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-4433
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 29, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • April 29, 2026
    Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, 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.
Raja Krishnamoorthi

Raja Krishnamoorthi

Democratic Representative

Illinois

Cosponsors (2)
Brittany Pettersen (Democratic)Joe Neguse (Democratic)

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rules Committee

Related Bills

  • S 119-4433: Disaster Declaration Transparency Act of 2026
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted