Stopping Political Discrimination in Disaster Assistance Act

House Bill

H.R. 1342

119th Congress

Stopping Political Discrimination in Disaster Assistance Act

In Committee

Introduced:Feb 24, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Debbie Dingell

Representative

Democratic

MI-6

Cosponsors

2

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Emergency Management

Summary

This bill prohibits FEMA from discriminating based on political affiliation when providing disaster relief. It adds political affiliation to existing protections against discrimination by race, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, and economic status in federal emergency assistance.

Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill prohibits FEMA from discriminating based on political affiliation when providing disaster relief. It adds political affiliation to existing protections against discrimination by race, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, and economic status in federal emergency assistance.

Last updated: 1/5/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Stopping Political Discrimination in Disaster Assistance ActThis bill prohibits discrimination on the basis of political affiliation by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other participating entities (i.e., public or private entities providing or receiving assistance) in carrying out federal major disaster or emergency relief and assistance activities.Current law requires FEMA and other participating entities to provide federal major disaster or emergency relief and assistance without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. The bill adds political affiliation to the classes protected under this requirement.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Adds political affiliation to FEMA nondiscrimination requirements
Applies to major disaster and emergency relief activities
Covers both FEMA and participating relief entities
Expands existing civil rights protections in disaster response
Responds to concerns about partisan bias in relief distribution

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Disaster victims would have explicit protection against political discrimination when seeking federal emergency assistance. This addresses concerns that FEMA aid could be withheld or prioritized based on the political leanings of affected communities or individuals.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Emergency Management

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

1342, 119th Congress (2025). "Stopping Political Discrimination in Disaster Assistance Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-1342