RISEE Act of 2023

Senate Bill

S. 373

119th Congress

RISEE Act of 2023

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 576.

Introduced:Feb 3, 2025

Primary Sponsor

James Lankford

R - OK

Cosponsors

10

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Emergency Management

Summary

This bill prohibits FEMA and participating entities from discriminating based on political affiliation when providing federal disaster relief and assistance. It adds political affiliation to the existing list of protected classes including race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, and economic status that cannot be used to deny disaster aid.

Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill prohibits FEMA and participating entities from discriminating based on political affiliation when providing federal disaster relief and assistance. It adds political affiliation to the existing list of protected classes including race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, and economic status that cannot be used to deny disaster aid.

Last updated: 1/4/2026

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 non-discrimination rules
Prohibits disaster aid discrimination based on politics
Applies to FEMA and participating entities
Extends existing protected class framework
Covers major disaster and emergency relief
Addresses concerns about partisan disaster response

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

This bill responds to allegations that disaster assistance decisions have been influenced by political considerations. By adding political affiliation to protected classes, it creates a legal basis for challenging politically-motivated denial of disaster aid. While discrimination based on other factors is already prohibited, this explicit addition may provide additional protection for communities regardless of their political leanings or how they voted.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Emergency Management

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

373, 119th Congress (2025). "RISEE Act of 2023". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-373