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Budgeting for Disasters: Ending Automatic Exemptions from Federal Spending Caps.

This bill changes how the federal government funds natural disaster relief. Starting in Fiscal Year 2025, disaster aid funds will no longer automatically bypass annual budget caps, forcing Congress to plan and budget for these costs in advance. Furthermore, approving urgent emergency spending outside the budget will become significantly harder, requiring a two-thirds majority vote in the Senate.
Key points
Disaster relief funds must be included within regular annual federal spending limits, rather than being added on top as an exception.
Approving sudden, unplanned emergency spending will require a higher threshold of support in the Senate (two-thirds majority), potentially slowing down responses to unforeseen crises.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) will review past emergency spending (2015-2024) to recommend improvements in forecasting and cost-sharing between federal and state governments.
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Additional Information
Print number: 118_S_3777
Sponsor: Sen. Romney, Mitt [R-UT]
Process start date: 2024-02-08
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Summarized by: gemini-flash-latest
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Budgeting for Disasters Act

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 118_S_3777.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the Senate.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2024-02-08.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Disaster relief funds must be included within regular annual federal spending limits, rather than being added on top as an exception.
  • Approving sudden, unplanned emergency spending will require a higher threshold of support in the Senate (two-thirds majority), potentially slowing down responses to unforeseen crises.
  • The Government Accountability Office (GAO) will review past emergency spending (2015-2024) to recommend improvements in forecasting and cost-sharing between federal and state governments.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Sen. Romney, Mitt [R-UT].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Introduced in Senate

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-30.

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Public Investments Economy