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The House passed the Post-Disaster Assistance Online Accountability Act (H.R. 153), which creates a public website to track federal disaster recovery spending, with a unanimous 426-0 vote.
This bill, H.R. 153, requires federal agencies like FEMA, the Small Business Administration, and HUD to report detailed information on how natural disaster relief funds are spent. This data, including project names, locations, and completion status, would be published on a central public website. The goal is to provide transparency and allow the public to track billions in taxpayer money allocated for disaster recovery. This vote was held under a procedure called "suspension of the rules," which is used for non-controversial bills with broad support. This process limits debate and prevents changes to the bill's text, but it requires a higher threshold of two-thirds of the members present to vote "yes" for the bill to pass. The bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, receiving 426 "yes" votes and no opposition. It now moves to the Senate for consideration. If signed into law, it will establish new accountability requirements for agencies distributing aid to states and local governments, making it easier for the public and watchdog groups to monitor recovery efforts.
The bill has been sent to the Senate, where it has been referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
OPEN BILL →Why it matters. This bill addresses the difficulty of tracking billions in federal disaster aid by centralizing data, helping to prevent waste and fraud.
Who’s affected. Federal Agencies: FEMA, HUD, and SBA will be required to meet stricter quarterly reporting standards for aid distribution. · Taxpayers: Will gain access to a user-friendly website to see exactly where and how disaster recovery money is being spent. · Local Governments: Information regarding recovery projects funded by federal grants will become publicly visible and searchable.
Democrats. The Democratic caucus supported the bill unanimously, with 211 members voting in favor.
Republicans. Republicans supported the bill unanimously, with 216 members voting in favor.
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass
Jan 14, 2025
The House passed the Post-Disaster Assistance Online Accountability Act (H.R.
153), which creates a public website to track federal disaster recovery spending, with a unanimous 426-0 vote.
This was a vote to "suspend the rules," a fast-track process for bills that have broad support. It skips some steps and limits debate but requires a two-thirds majority to pass instead of a simple majority.
The bill has been sent to the Senate, where it has been referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
This bill addresses the difficulty of tracking billions in federal disaster aid by centralizing data, helping to prevent waste and fraud.
The vote was entirely bipartisan and unanimous, reflecting a rare moment of total agreement between both parties on government transparency.
The Democratic caucus supported the bill unanimously, with 211 members voting in favor.
Republicans supported the bill unanimously, with 216 members voting in favor.
The lone independent member voted in favor of the bill.