H.R. 1342 · Passed House · Emergency Management

Stopping Political Discrimination in Disaster Assistance Act

Sponsor: Scott Perry (R-PA)

What it does

• Adds political affiliation as a protected class in federal disaster and emergency assistance programs, prohibiting discrimination by FEMA and participating entities on this basis.
• Extends non-discrimination protections that currently apply to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, and economic status to include political affiliation.
• Applies the ban on political discrimination to both public and private entities receiving or providing federal disaster relief and assistance.

Official summary

Stopping Political Discrimination in Disaster Assistance Act This bill prohibits discrimination on the basis of political affiliation by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other participating entities (i.e., public or private entities providing or receiving assistance) in carrying out federal major disaster or emergency relief and assistance activities. Current law requires FEMA and other participating entities to provide federal major disaster or emergency relief and assistance without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. The bill adds political affiliation to the classes protected under this requirement.

Latest action

Sep 16, 2026: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Committee: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs