The bill aims to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to prevent discrimination based on political affiliation in disaster assistance. It adds "political affiliation" to the list of characteristics for which discrimination in disaster assistance is prohibited. The bill, titled the “Stopping Political Discrimination in Disaster Assistance Act,” seeks to ensure fair access to disaster relief, regardless of political beliefs.
Stopping Political Discrimination in Disaster Assistance Act
This bill prohibits discrimination on the basis of political affiliation by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other participating entities (i.e., public or private entities providing or receiving assistance) in carrying out federal major disaster or emergency relief and assistance activities.
Current law requires FEMA and other participating entities to provide federal major disaster or emergency relief and assistance without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. The bill adds political affiliation to the classes protected under this requirement.
