Congressional Legislation · bill 119s594 · built from our database

Both sides have signed this (Bill Ranking)

HELP Response and Recovery Act

S. 594 · 119th Congress (2025-2026)

S. 594119TH CONGRESSINTRODUCED 02/13/2025SEN. PETERSD-MI · SPONSORLeft: no (Sponsor Ranking)Lean left: DW-NOMINATE -0.25 (Sponsor Ranking)Center: no (Sponsor Ranking)Lean right: no (Sponsor Ranking)Right: no (Sponsor Ranking)LEAN LEFT(SPONSOR RANKING)EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

2 members · Left 1 · Center 0 · Right 1 (Bill Ranking)

SponsorSen. Peters, Gary C. (D-MI) (Introduced 02/13/2025)
Sponsor Voting RecordLean left · DW-NOMINATE -0.25 · measured from every roll-call vote this member has cast (voteview.com) (Sponsor Ranking)
Support
LLLCLRR

support across the spectrum: 2 members signed on (Bill Ranking) this bill: sponsor + current cosponsors, each once

CommitteesSenate - Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee; Senate - Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee; Senate - Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
Latest Action12/17/2025 Held at the desk.
Roll Call VotesThere have been no roll call votes
Sourceview on congress.gov →
IntroducedPassed HousePassed SenateResolving DifferencesTo PresidentBecame Law

Summary (1)

Introduced in Senate (02/13/2025)

Helping Eliminate Limitations for Prompt Response and Recovery Act or the HELP Response and Recovery Act

This bill extends the maximum duration of noncompetitive Department of Homeland Security (DHS) contracts for disaster response and recovery from 150 days to one year by repealing a current limitation on such DHS contracts so that standard procurement regulations apply regarding urgent needs. It also requires DHS to report to Congress annually for five years to review how this repeal has prevented waste and provide information on noncompetitive Federal Emergency Management Agency contracts.

Text (3)

Engrossed in Senate (ES)

109 S594 ES: Helping Eliminate Limitations for Prompt Response and Recovery Act U.S. Senate text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. 119th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 594IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESAN ACTTo amend the Post-Katrina Management Reform Act of 2006 to repeal certain obsolete requirements, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Helping Eliminate Limitations for Prompt Response and Recovery Act or the HELP Response and Recovery Act.2.Repeal of obsolete DHS contracting requirementsThe Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (Public Law 109–295; 120 Stat. 1394) is amended by striking section 695 (6 U.S.C. 794).

3.Reports(a)Covered period definedIn this section, the term covered period means—(1)with respect to an initial report required under subsection (b), the period between the date of enactment of this Act and the date of the report; and(2)with respect to any succeeding report required under subsection (b), the period between the date of the most recent report and the succeeding report.(b)RequirementNot later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter until the date that is 5 years thereafter, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report that—(1)reviews how the repeal under section 2 has—(A)prevented waste, fraud, and abuse; and(B)promoted taxpayer savings; and(2)includes, with respect to a contract entered into or extended by the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency under urgent and compelling circumstances during the covered period for which the Administrator did not solicit bids—(A)the number of those contracts;(B)the subject of each contract;(C)the amounts obligated by the Administrator for each contract;(D)if applicable, the State benefitted by each contract; and(E)if applicable, the name of the major disaster or emergency for which each contract was entered into or extended.Passed the Senate December 16, 2025.Secretary

Introduced in Senate (IS)

109 S594 IS: Helping Eliminate Limitations for Prompt Response and Recovery Act U.S. Senate 2025-02-13 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II119th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 594IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESFebruary 13, 2025Mr. Peters (for himself and Mr. Kennedy) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental AffairsA BILLTo amend the Post-Katrina Management Reform Act of 2006 to repeal certain obsolete requirements, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Helping Eliminate Limitations for Prompt Response and Recovery Act or the HELP Response and Recovery Act.2.Repeal of obsolete DHS contracting requirementsThe Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (Public Law 109–295; 120 Stat. 1394) is amended by striking section 695 (6 U.S.C. 794).

3.Reports(a)Covered period definedIn this section, the term covered period means—(1)with respect to an initial report required under subsection (b), the period between the date of enactment of this Act and the date of the report; and(2)with respect to any succeeding report required under subsection (b), the period between the date of the most recent report and the succeeding report.(b)RequirementNot later than 540 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter until the date that is 5 years thereafter, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report that—(1)reviews how the repeal under section 2 has—(A)prevented waste, fraud, and abuse; and(B)promoted taxpayer savings; and(2)includes, with respect to a contract entered into or extended by the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency under urgent and compelling circumstances during the covered period for which the Administrator did not solicit bids—(A)the number of those contracts;(B)the subject of each contract;(C)the amounts obligated by the Administrator for each contract;(D)if applicable, the State benefitted by each contract; and(E)if applicable, the name of the major disaster or emergency for which each contract was entered into or extended.

Reported in Senate (RS)

109 S594 RS: Helping Eliminate Limitations for Prompt Response and Recovery Act U.S. Senate 2025-11-03 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IICalendar No. 252119th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 594IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESFebruary 13, 2025Mr. Peters (for himself and Mr. Kennedy) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental AffairsNovember 3, 2025Reported by Mr. Paul, with an amendmentStrike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italicA BILLTo amend the Post-Katrina Management Reform Act of 2006 to repeal certain obsolete requirements, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Helping Eliminate Limitations for Prompt Response and Recovery Act or the HELP Response and Recovery Act.2.Repeal of obsolete DHS contracting requirementsThe Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (Public Law 109–295; 120 Stat. 1394) is amended by striking section 695 (6 U.S.C. 794).

3.Reports(a)Covered period definedIn this section, the term covered period means—(1)with respect to an initial report required under subsection (b), the period between the date of enactment of this Act and the date of the report; and(2)with respect to any succeeding report required under subsection (b), the period between the date of the most recent report and the succeeding report.(b)RequirementNot later than 540 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter until the date that is 5 years thereafter, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report that—(1)reviews how the repeal under section 2 has—(A)prevented waste, fraud, and abuse; and(B)promoted taxpayer savings; and(2)includes, with respect to a contract entered into or extended by the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency under urgent and compelling circumstances during the covered period for which the Administrator did not solicit bids—(A)the number of those contracts;(B)the subject of each contract;(C)the amounts obligated by the Administrator for each contract;(D)if applicable, the State benefitted by each contract; and(E)if applicable, the name of the major disaster or emergency for which each contract was entered into or extended.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Helping Eliminate Limitations for Prompt Response and Recovery Act or the HELP Response and Recovery Act.2.Repeal of obsolete DHS contracting requirementsThe Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 (Public Law 109–295; 120 Stat. 1394) is amended by striking section 695 (6 U.S.C. 794).

3.Reports(a)Covered period definedIn this section, the term covered period means—(1)with respect to an initial report required under subsection (b), the period between the date of enactment of this Act and the date of the report; and(2)with respect to any succeeding report required under subsection (b), the period between the date of the most recent report and the succeeding report.(b)RequirementNot later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter until the date that is 5 years thereafter, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report that—(1)reviews how the repeal under section 2 has—(A)prevented waste, fraud, and abuse; and(B)promoted taxpayer savings; and(2)includes, with respect to a contract entered into or extended by the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency under urgent and compelling circumstances during the covered period for which the Administrator did not solicit bids—(A)the number of those contracts;(B)the subject of each contract;(C)the amounts obligated by the Administrator for each contract;(D)if applicable, the State benefitted by each contract; and(E)if applicable, the name of the major disaster or emergency for which each contract was entered into or extended.November 3, 2025Reported with an amendment

The bill's own words, from our database (synced from the GPO BILLS XML); paragraph breaks added at the bill's section boundaries, nothing else changed.

All Actions (11)

DateChamberAll Actions
02/13/2025Library of CongressIntroduced in Senate
02/13/2025SenateRead twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
07/30/2025SenateCommittee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
11/03/2025Library of CongressCommittee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Paul with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
11/03/2025SenateCommittee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Paul with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
11/03/2025SenatePlaced on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 252.
12/16/2025Library of CongressPassed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
12/16/2025SenatePassed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8764-8765; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S8764-8765)
12/17/2025SenateMessage on Senate action sent to the House.
12/17/2025House floor actionsReceived in the House.
12/17/2025House floor actionsHeld at the desk.

Titles (8)

Title TypeTitle
Display TitleHELP Response and Recovery Act
Short Title(s) as Passed SenateHELP Response and Recovery Act
Short Title(s) as Passed SenateHelping Eliminate Limitations for Prompt Response and Recovery Act
Short Title(s) as Reported to SenateHELP Response and Recovery Act
Short Title(s) as Reported to SenateHelping Eliminate Limitations for Prompt Response and Recovery Act
Short Title(s) as IntroducedHELP Response and Recovery Act
Short Title(s) as IntroducedHelping Eliminate Limitations for Prompt Response and Recovery Act
Official Title as IntroducedA bill to amend the Post-Katrina Management Reform Act of 2006 to repeal certain obsolete requirements, and for other purposes.

Amendments (0)

There are no amendments to this bill.

Cosponsors (1)

* = Original cosponsor

Committees (3)

CommitteeActivity
Senate - Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee11/03/2025 Reported By
Senate - Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee07/30/2025 Markup By
Senate - Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee02/13/2025 Referred To

Related Bills (0)

No related bill information was received for S. 594.

Subjects (5)

Policy Area: Emergency Management

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