Extreme Heat Emergency Act of 2025
Key claim: The Extreme Heat Emergency Act of 2025 (HR4497) was introduced in the 119th Congress and referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
Abstract
(HR4497 · 119th Congress) Latest action (2025-07-18): Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
Why this matters
Extreme heat is the deadliest weather hazard in the U.S. but is not consistently treated as a qualifying event under existing federal emergency and disaster frameworks. HR4497 signals continued congressional interest in explicitly recognizing heat waves for emergency management purposes, which would affect FEMA cost-sharing, state and local preparedness funding, and coordination with public-health responses. As introduced legislation referred to subcommittee, its practical effect is prospective and depends on markup and enactment.