Plain Language Summary
# USA FIRST Act Summary **What the Bill Would Do** The USA FIRST Act would redirect unspent money that was previously allocated to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)—the federal agency responsible for foreign aid—and transfer it instead to FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund. This redirected money would be used to help Americans recover from major disasters declared by the President, including response, recovery, and prevention efforts. **Who It Affects** The bill would primarily affect communities affected by major disasters in the United States, as well as foreign aid recipients who might otherwise receive USAID funding.
Taxpayers could potentially see changes in how federal disaster relief is funded. **Current Status** The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by Congress. It was introduced by Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-OK) in the 119th Congress.
CRS Official Summary
Unobligated Spending Adjustment to Focus Investment on Relief and Support for Taxpayers Act or the USA FIRST ActThis bill transfers unobligated funds previously appropriated to the U.S. Agency for International Development to the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) for general disaster relief for major disasters declared by the President. The DRF is managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the activities it funds pursuant to major disaster declarations include domestic disaster response, recovery, and mitigation.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Appropriations.