Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) and Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33) led the Texas Democratic delegation in introducing the Texas Flood Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2025 to provide $15 billion in federal funding for recovery efforts following the devastating floods in Central Texas earlier this month.

“Flooding in the Texas Hill Country has brought devastation and heartbreak to people across Texas,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.  “Texans will continue to grieve the loss of our many friends and neighbors who lost their lives, their homes, their loved ones, and so much more to the rising waters.  During this difficult time, our communities have come together in support and partnership, and the federal government is an essential partner in the work to help Texans repair and rebuild lives and communities.  Government at every level has an important role to play in the health, safety, and wellness of our communities, and in times of disaster that role is essential.  The Congress has responded to Texas’ needs in prior disasters with meaningful and essential funding, and I am glad to join Congressman Marc Veasey in introducing legislation to provide $15 billion in FEMA disaster relief funds for Texas to help recover and rebuild.”

“Texans have been devastated by repeated flooding events, and the road to recovery is long.  We cannot let red tape or bureaucratic inertia stand in the way of getting help to the people who need it most,” said Congressman Marc Veasey.  “This bill ensures FEMA has dedicated, flexible funding, while also pushing the agency to use its existing resources more effectively and transparently.  It’s unacceptable that FEMA is sitting on over $100 billion while local officials in Texas are still waiting for basic infrastructure and housing support.  This bill is about putting that money to work, quickly, responsibly, and in direct coordination with state and local partners.”

If enacted, this bill would provide $15 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Relief Fund (DRF), to be used specifically for:

• Immediate disaster response and recovery operations;
• Individual and public assistance programs, including temporary housing, home repair, public infrastructure restoration, and debris removal;
• Pre-disaster mitigation and hazard resilience projects, including flood control, drainage, and buyout projects; and
• Technical assistance and capacity building grants for local governments with limited disaster recovery infrastructure.

Throughout his administration, President Trump has repeatedly called to reduce the role of FEMA in the immediate response and long-term recovery following natural disasters, expressing a desire for state and local governments to take on this burden.  From ending the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program to denying states necessary funding via the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, the Trump Administration has taken drastic action to incapacitate federal disaster response programs.  This bill provides much needed funding to Texas through the Disaster Relief Fund to address the short- and long-term needs of Texas communities following this devastation.  Disaster recovery is not political.

On Tuesday, Congresswoman Fletcher led the Texas Democratic delegation in sending a letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) asking for an investigation into the federal government preparation for and response to the Hill Country flooding.

To view the full text of the bill, click here.