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First Responders Emergency Assistance Act

USA119th CongressS-2200| Senate 
| Updated: 6/26/2025
Ruben Gallego

Ruben Gallego

Democratic Senator

Arizona

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "First Responders Emergency Assistance Act" establishes a grant program through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist state, tribal, territorial, and local law enforcement and first responder agencies. This program aims to help these entities respond to substantial and rapid increases in the arrival or presence of aliens who have recently entered the United States. Eligible entities include law enforcement agencies, emergency operations centers, and other first responder agencies. Grant funds can be used for various purposes, including the purchase and maintenance of equipment , as well as covering personnel costs such as salaries, overtime, and backfill positions for law enforcement and first responder personnel. Additionally, funds may support other appropriate activities or costs incurred in direct response to these increased arrivals, as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security. A significant provision mandates that at least 25 percent of the appropriated funds must be awarded to eligible entities located in states sharing a border with Canada or Mexico. The Administrator is tasked with establishing guidelines to ensure proper use of grant amounts, increase the proportion of funds used for operational expenses, and improve program performance reporting. For a five-year period, FEMA, in coordination with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement, must submit annual reports and provide briefings to Congress. These reports will detail how grant funds were expended, the nature of operations supported, and recommendations for improving the program, including the potential for multi-year grants. Crucially, the bill explicitly states that appropriated funds may not be used to reimburse eligible entities for costs related to the enforcement of Federal immigration laws .
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Timeline
Jun 26, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jun 26, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
  • June 26, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 26, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Immigration

First Responders Emergency Assistance Act

USA119th CongressS-2200| Senate 
| Updated: 6/26/2025
The "First Responders Emergency Assistance Act" establishes a grant program through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist state, tribal, territorial, and local law enforcement and first responder agencies. This program aims to help these entities respond to substantial and rapid increases in the arrival or presence of aliens who have recently entered the United States. Eligible entities include law enforcement agencies, emergency operations centers, and other first responder agencies. Grant funds can be used for various purposes, including the purchase and maintenance of equipment , as well as covering personnel costs such as salaries, overtime, and backfill positions for law enforcement and first responder personnel. Additionally, funds may support other appropriate activities or costs incurred in direct response to these increased arrivals, as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security. A significant provision mandates that at least 25 percent of the appropriated funds must be awarded to eligible entities located in states sharing a border with Canada or Mexico. The Administrator is tasked with establishing guidelines to ensure proper use of grant amounts, increase the proportion of funds used for operational expenses, and improve program performance reporting. For a five-year period, FEMA, in coordination with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement, must submit annual reports and provide briefings to Congress. These reports will detail how grant funds were expended, the nature of operations supported, and recommendations for improving the program, including the potential for multi-year grants. Crucially, the bill explicitly states that appropriated funds may not be used to reimburse eligible entities for costs related to the enforcement of Federal immigration laws .
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline
Jun 26, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jun 26, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
  • June 26, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 26, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Ruben Gallego

Ruben Gallego

Democratic Senator

Arizona

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

Immigration

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted