Congressman André Carson's FEMA Amendment Passes Committee with Key Reforms for Disaster Response and Aviation Safety

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On September 3, 2025, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved Congressman André Carson's (IN-07) amendment to the FEMA Act of 2025 (H.R. 4669).

Carson's amendment requires FEMA to notify Congress within seven days of awarding any grant, including details like the recipient's name, amount of the grant, and project location. The amendment aims to improve oversight and public trust in FEMA's disaster relief programs and applies to all FEMA grants, including Non-Profit Security Grants. It also pushes back on a new trend of FEMA withholding grant information from Congress, citing security concerns, a drastic change from the traditional practice of providing grant information to the public and Members of Congress. Carson's amendment would restore traditional reporting practices, ensuring all members of Congress receive the information they need about FEMA funding in their districts. The committee passed the amendment unanimously.

"In times of disaster, every dollar counts," said Congressman Carson. "Americans deserve full transparency when it comes to how disaster, recovery, and prevention dollars are being used. It's essential that we can track how resources are allocated and ensure they reach the communities in need. If FEMA refuses to provide this information, my amendment codifies the traditional notifications to Congress and ensures that all Members of Congress will get the details about FEMA grants for their communities. As natural and man-made disasters become more frequent and severe, FEMA is more important than ever. I'm especially proud that this bill protects key programs like Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) from Trump administration cuts. These programs save lives and money-every $1 spent saves $6 in future disaster costs."

The Carson amendment is part of the broader FEMA Act of 2025 (H.R. 4669), which will now move forward to be considered by the full House of Representatives.

H.R. 4669 is a bipartisan effort to strengthen and revitalize FEMA and improve the nation's disaster response system. It would:

The committee approved the bill by a vote of 57-3. More information can be found here.

Aviation Safety and Drone Security:

Rep. Carson also voted in favor of the Counter UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act (H.R. 5061), which improves safety by addressing the risks of unauthorized drones (Unmanned Aircraft Systems). The bill strengthens coordination between aviation authorities and law enforcement, which is especially important for protecting airports, infrastructure, and major events like the Indy 500 in Congressman Carson's district, and well as the upcoming FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics. It also creates a program to help state and local law enforcement get the tools they need to stop dangerous drone activity.

"As a former law enforcement officer, I know threats of unauthorized operations of drones is a serious safety issue for passenger aircraft and critical infrastructure," said Congressman Carson. "I've worked with local leaders, federal officials, and our Committee to put safety first and establish protocols that protect our infrastructure and the special events that Hoosier families want to enjoy without fear. This bill will help make our skies safer."

This bill also passed unanimously. More information can be found here.

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