Rep. Neguse Introduces Legislation to Reverse Trump Administration’s Weakening of Federal Disaster Preparedness, Emergency Response

Washington, D.C. — Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse teamed up with Rep. Greg Casar (TX-35) to unveil new legislation aimed at reversing the Trump administration’s dangerous cuts to federal emergency preparedness and disaster response agencies, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Weather Service (NWS), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The bills introduced by the lawmakers—the Protect Americans from Climate Disasters Act and the FEMA Critical Staffing Act—were crafted in response to concerns with the federal government’s current disaster management practices. 

“As we continue to face increasing numbers of natural disasters across our country — wildfires, floods, and hurricanes — it’s critically important that we equip our communities with the resources they need. Whether it’s the preparedness programs administered by NOAA and NWS, or the response and recovery initiatives managed by FEMA, our federal agencies play a crucial role in addressing the increasing frequency of disasters,” said Congressman Joe Neguse. “That’s precisely why I’m working with my colleagues to stop the Trump Administration’s dismantling of these agencies. Our bills call for the immediate rehiring of terminated staff, the continuation of critical programs, and the allocation of necessary funding for these institutions to keep delivering for Americans everywhere.”

“We must fully restore Trump’s cuts to natural disaster response to save lives in Texas,” said Congressman Greg Casar. “The July 4th floods were devastating, and more like them could come. Congress must act now.”

The Protect Americans from Climate Disasters Act is an all-encompassing bill, introduced by Congressman Neguse, that would reinstitute adequate support for NOAA, NWS, and other key programs overseen by the agency. 

The Protect Americans from Climate Disasters Act requires: 

• NOAA be funded at appropriate levels; 
• The Secretary of Commerce to reinstate NOAA employees fired by the Trump administration’s DOGE initiative; and 
• The reinstatement of the Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters database, the NOAA Marine Environmental Buoy Database, and the NOAA Global Ocean Currents Database. 

Additionally, the FEMA Critical Staffing Act, introduced by Congressman Casar, would require FEMA to reinstate employees fired by the Trump administration’s DOGE initiative and restore the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program and the flood mitigation assistance program. 

Both bills are co-led by Reps. Gabe Amo (D-RI), Val Hoyle (D-OR), Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), and Greg Stanton (D-AZ). 

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