The National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC) has called on leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a new bipartisan bill aimed at overhauling the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The legislation, known as the Fixing Emergency Management for American Act (HR 4669), recently cleared the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee with strong support, winning a 57-3 vote.
Introduced by Committee Chair Sam Graves, a Republican from Missouri, and Ranking Member Rick Larsen, a Democrat from Washington, the bill seeks to change how FEMA operates. One major shift is to remove FEMA from the Department of Homeland Security and restore it as an independent agency that reports directly to the president. The agency’s leader would also be given a cabinet-level role, elevating its status in the federal government.
Currently, David Richardson is FEMA’s acting administrator, having taken the role after the previous acting head, Cameron Hamilton, was let go following controversial comments at a congressional hearing. Richardson has suggested that states might have to cover more of the costs after natural disasters under the agency’s direction.
NAMIC’s senior vice president of federal and political affairs, Jimi Grande, praised the bill’s balanced approach. He noted that the sponsors spent months gathering input from many industries that deal with emergency management and disaster recovery. According to Grande, the bill aims to improve stability, expertise, transparency, and speed in disaster response, helping survivors get aid more quickly.
The legislation also includes provisions to prevent political discrimination when providing aid. It would encourage states to invest in disaster mitigation, “rainy day” funds, and private insurance to better prepare for future emergencies. Additionally, the bill promotes modern methods to build and rebuild more safely and cost-effectively, reducing risks from natural hazards.
NAMIC sent a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries expressing its readiness to work with policymakers to improve emergency management across the country.
This proposal comes amid ongoing debate about FEMA’s future. Former President Donald Trump has been critical of the agency and has even threatened to abolish it. His administration recently tried to end a key resilience-building program managed by FEMA but was blocked by a federal judge.
As Congress gets back to work after a government shutdown, NAMIC’s push highlights the urgency to rethink how the nation handles emergencies and disaster aid. The bipartisan support for the FEMA Act shows a shared desire to make the system more effective and fair for everyone affected.