Barrett Introduces Bill to Connect Veterans with FEMA Jobs, Assistance When Disaster Strikes

July 24, 2025
Press Release

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) recently unveiled H.R. 4480, the Improving Disaster Assistance for Veterans Act, to expand veteran recruitment at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and assist veterans seeking federal relief after a natural disaster. Specifically, this legislation would establish a veterans advocate at FEMA responsible for identifying opportunities for the hiring of veterans, ensuring the agency accounts for veterans’ needs, and helping the agency cooperate with veterans' service organizations when providing disaster relief.

“No one is better equipped than our nation’s veterans to serve at FEMA and to help respond to natural disasters. Many of them are already trained in search-and-rescue, emergency evacuation, and other critical skills that uniquely position them to thrive at FEMA,” said Barrett. “ This legislation will also ensure essential relief is accessible to those who served by having a dedicated advocate to communicate critical information about disaster relief back to the local organizations veterans trust most to help them navigate government bureaucracy.”

Specifically, the veterans’ advocate at FEMA created by this legislation would:

  • Promote the recruitment of veterans for positions at FEMA, including on-call reservists who swing into action when an emergency arises. Expanded recruitment will further utilize the transferable skills veterans acquired in service.

  • Participate in FEMA’s process for declaring a federal disaster or emergency to ensure veterans’ needs are addressed.

  • Serve as a liaison between FEMA and veterans service organizations (VSOs) so these trusted support organizations can help veterans claim disaster relief.

The Improving Disaster Assistance for Veterans Act has been included in the Fixing Emergency Management for Americans (FEMA) Act, which was introduced by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) on July 23, 2025.

Click here to read the Improving Disaster Assistance for Veterans Act.

Click here to read the FEMA Act.

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