August 26, 2025

Dear Chairman Sam Graves and Ranking Member Rick Larson,

The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies (The Partnership) is the only U.S. disability-led organization with a focused mission of equity for people with disabilities and people with access and functional needs throughout all planning, programs, services and procedures before, during and after disasters and emergencies. 

The Partnership is writing to express its support of  H.R. 4669 to authorize and improve FEMA and reform federal disaster mitigation, response, and recovery introduced on July 24 by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA). 

The bill, as drafted, will restore FEMA as an independent agency reporting directly to the president as a cabinet-level agency, eliminating wasteful bureaucracy. It will lengthen the amount of time FEMA can assist disaster-impacted households, which has proven to be a barrier for disabled people. Importantly to the disability community, it will create a common disaster assistance program and will require FEMA to create clear notices that are understandable about FEMA eligibility. Finally, it will remove penalties for people who utilize crowdfunding sources to help defray disaster expenses.

These will all make FEMA more accessible to disabled disaster survivors and their families. Presently, disabled people struggle to get equitable access to services from FEMA. These measures will support disabled disaster survivors and their families get support from FEMA that is necessary for their survival after disasters.

We urge you to pass this bill.