Today, Representatives Scott Peters (D-CA-50) and Jay Obernolte (R-CA-23) introduced the Disclosing Aid Spent to Ensure Relief (DISASTER) Act, which would require the federal government to create and provide a detailed accounting of how disaster relief money provided by Congress is spent. This would allow Congress to more accurately budget for disaster relief funds in future years and better ensure the American people get the help they need when they need it most. 

Since 1980, the United States has endured 403 weather and climate disasters where overall damages exceeded $1 billion — altogether, those events cost $2.945 trillion. The federal government plays a vital role in helping communities recover from disasters of all kinds, yet we do not know the true scope of its involvement because the federal government produces no single estimate of how much it spends on disaster-related assistance. And much of this spending is unplanned and therefore not included in the annual federal budget. The DISASTER Act would require the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to use data it already gathers under the Budget Control Act (BCA) to produce an annual disaster spending estimate for Congress. 

“When disaster strikes our communities, the recovery can be slow and costly,” said Rep. Peters. “The costs to the federal government are on the rise as disasters become more frequent and more devastating. We should know exactly how much recovery efforts cost, so our budget can correctly account for them, and better plan for future disasters.” 

“At a time when our national debt is soaring, Congress has a responsibility to ensure that every taxpayer dollar is spent effectively,” said Rep. Obernolte. “The DISASTER Act will bring much-needed transparency to federal disaster spending by requiring a clear accounting of where, how, and why these funds were spent. This commonsense reform will help us identify inefficiencies, strengthen preparedness, and improve coordination across federal agencies in times of crisis.” 

Original cosponsors from both parties of the legislation include Representatives Hillary Scholten (D-MI-3), Steve Womack (R-AR-3), Jared Moskowitz (D-FL-23), and David Valadao (R-CA-22). 

“Disasters are getting larger, more widespread, and more expensive,” said Rep. Moskowitz. “It’s critical that we fully fund the preparation, response, and recovery for these disasters, but it’s also critical that Congress knows where these targeted funds are going. By passing the DISASTER Act, we can take a commonsense step towards transparency, ensuring that taxpayers and their representatives in Washington have a more comprehensive account of how federal disaster-related assistance is allocated.” 

“The Central Valley is no stranger to natural disasters—from severe droughts to flooding—and when disaster strikes, it’s critical we have a clear and accurate picture of where federal dollars are going,” said Rep. Valadao. “Unfortunately, that information isn’t currently easy to track. With better transparency and accountability, we can ensure taxpayer dollars are used effectively to help communities recover and prepare for future disasters, and I’m proud to join Rep. Peters in support.” 

This legislation passed in the House of Representatives in 2019 by a voice vote.  

###