Extreme Heat Emergency Act of 2025
Summary
The Extreme Heat Emergency Act of 2025 amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to include 'extreme temperature' in the definition of a major disaster. This inclusion would allow areas affected by extreme heat events to be eligible for federal disaster relief funds. The bill explicitly states that no additional funds are authorized for carrying out the Act.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill would be to expand the scope of the Stafford Act to include extreme heat events as major disasters. This would potentially unlock federal resources for states and localities dealing with such events. However, the bill's stipulation of 'no additional funds' raises questions about the actual availability of increased aid.
Potential Benefits
- Increased access to federal disaster relief funds for communities affected by extreme heat.
- Potential for better resource allocation during heat waves, including cooling centers and public awareness campaigns.
- Could lead to improved infrastructure planning to mitigate the impacts of extreme heat.
- May incentivize states and localities to develop more robust heat emergency response plans.
- Acknowledges extreme heat as a significant threat requiring federal attention.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- The 'no additional funds' clause may render the amendment ineffective, as existing funds may be insufficient to cover new disaster declarations.
- Potential for bureaucratic delays in accessing funds, even if available.
- Could lead to competition for limited disaster relief funds between different types of disasters.
- May not address the underlying causes of extreme heat, such as climate change.
- The definition of 'extreme temperature' is not specified, potentially leading to inconsistent application.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the Constitution's general welfare clause (Preamble) by aiming to provide relief during extreme heat events. Congress has the power to legislate in areas of disaster relief. Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the power to spend for the general welfare. However, the lack of additional funding may limit its effectiveness.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).