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Graves Bill Protecting Flood Victims Signed into Law

December 23, 2022

Washington, DC – Congressman Sam Graves’ (MO-06) Preventing Disaster Revictimization Act (H.R. 539) was signed into law today as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023. The bill prohibits the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from going after disaster victims when the Agency mistakenly awards individual assistance.

“When FEMA makes a mistake, FEMA needs to pay the price—not the innocent disaster victims,” Graves said. “I’ve heard too many horror stories about disaster victims who have accepted FEMA assistance, only for the agency to come back weeks, months, or even years later and demand the money back, plus interest, because of some technical error. This new law will protect disaster victims and give them peace of mind to use FEMA assistance to rebuild their lives after disasters.”

Graves introduced the bill after FEMA clawed back individual assistance funds from a Holt County resident following the Flood of 2019. The individual in question lost his family home and was provided over $12,000 in FEMA Individual Assistance money to help him get back on his feet, only to be told later he didn't qualify because of a technicality and would have to pay it back.

The bill previously passed the House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support in June 2021. You can watch Congressman Graves’ remarks on the House Floor here.

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