Bell Introduces Bill to Increase Transparency and Oversight of FEMA Disaster Spending

Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representatives Wesley Bell (D-Mo.) and Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) introduced the FEMA Accountability Act, legislation that would require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to publicly report, on a monthly basis, how disaster relief funds are being obligated and spent. 

“After the tornadoes last year, too many families were left wondering where the help was and when it would arrive,” said Rep. Bell. “When disaster strikes, people deserve clear answers—not silence or confusion. This bill is about basic accountability. By requiring regular, public reporting on how disaster relief funds are being obligated and spent, we can shine a light on delays, identify what’s getting stuck, and make sure communities are not left in the dark when they are trying to recover.”

“When disaster strikes, speed and transparency are not optional. As the only former Emergency Management Director in Congress, I know how critical it is that relief dollars move quickly and are tracked clearly. The FEMA Accountability Act gives Congress and the public a real-time look at how Disaster Relief Fund dollars are being obligated and spent. Transparency is the first step toward restoring confidence in disaster response and ensuring families are not left in the dark, and this bill will make sure disaster relief is delivered with the accountability families deserve,” said Rep. Moskowitz.

The FEMA Accountability Act would require FEMA to submit and publish detailed monthly reports on all projects funded through the Disaster Relief Fund, giving Congress and the public a clear picture of how disaster aid is being managed. The reports would break down how much money remains unobligated, how much has been committed, and how much has actually been disbursed. The bill also requires FEMA to identify projects that have been stalled for more than 180 days, explain why funds are being withheld or delayed, and standardize this data using federal open-data standards so communities can track, in real time, whether disaster relief is reaching people when they need it.

The introduction of the FEMA Accountability Act comes after serious concerns with FEMA’s capacity and pace of providing and approving disaster assistance.

Since last year’s tornadoes, Rep. Bell has focused on holding FEMA accountable and helping families get the assistance they need to recover. He has pressed the agency to respond more transparently to delays and has introduced the FEMA Operations Continuity Act of 2025 to ensure disaster relief continues during government shutdowns and reaches communities without unnecessary obstacles. 

Read the full bill text here.