H.R. 5780 — Federal Emergency Management Continuity Act of 2025

This section directs the FEMA Administrator, notwithstanding any other provision of law including the Anti-Deficiency Act (31 U.S.C. 1341), to continue obligating and disbursing covered funds from the Disaster Relief Fund during a lapse in appropriations to FEMA for covered programs under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.). Covered funds are any amounts appropriated to the Disaster Relief Fund (i.e., FEMA's primary account for disaster response and recovery, available until expended) prior to the lapse that remain available for expenditure. Covered programs include Stafford Act individual assistance (sec. 408), public assistance (secs. 403, 406, 407, and 502), and other Disaster Relief Fund activities necessary to protect life and property. Employees necessary to carry out these activities are treated as excepted employees under the Anti-Deficiency Act and are not subject to furlough or reduction in force during the lapse. (Thus, FEMA may sustain disaster aid payments and operations during government shutdowns.)