U.S. Senate passes Kennedy, Peters bill to improve FEMA disaster response and recovery

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Helping Eliminate Limitations for Prompt (HELP) Response and Recovery Act, Sens. John Kennedy (R-La.) and Gary Peters' (D-Mich.) bipartisan bill to remove outdated federal restrictions that can slow disaster response at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

"When a natural disaster strikes, communities in Louisiana and across the country expect the federal government and private sector to work together efficiently, without unnecessary roadblocks. By cutting outdated requirements that only get in the way of disaster recovery, our bipartisan HELP Response and Recovery Act would give overwhelmed communities the room they need to rebuild. I'm pleased to see the U.S. Senate pass my and Senator Peters' bill, and hope the House of Representatives moves quickly to get it to President Trump's desk," said Kennedy.

"As natural disasters continue to affect communities across the nation, the federal government must be able to help those in need quickly and effectively. This bill would ensure that the Department of Homeland Security can streamline the process of helping disaster survivors rebuild their lives in the wake of these tragedies," said Peters.

Currently, an outdated DHS policy automatically cuts off some emergency contracts after 150 days-restrictions that can interrupt cleanup, housing and rebuilding work while recovery efforts are still underway.

Kennedy and Peters' bill would allow contracts to last up to one year when needed, helping ensure disaster response and recovery work continue without unnecessary delays.

To protect taxpayers, the bill also requires DHS to report to Congress on how the change improves efficiency, saves money and prevents waste, fraud and abuse.

The U.S. Senate passed the bill on December 16, 2025, and it now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration. Kennedy and Peters previously led the bill in 2024.

The International Association of Emergency Managers, the Disaster Recovery Coalition of America and the National Emergency Management Association support Kennedy and Peters' bill.

Full text of the HELP Response and Recovery Act is available here.