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Congress·Passed Senate·3 months ago

Updating disaster rules to cut waste and track no-bid contracts

Also known as: HELP Response and Recovery Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
✓ Review
✓ Senate
House
President

Key Points

  • Removes old disaster contracting rules from the early 2000s that no longer fit how emergencies are handled today
  • Makes the Homeland Security Department report every year on how the change cuts waste and saves taxpayer money
  • Requires the agency to list all emergency contracts given without open bidding, including what they are for and how much they cost
  • Reports must also say which states and which disasters those no-bid contracts were tied to, so Congress can monitor spending
  • These reports continue for about five years, so lawmakers can decide if the new system works and is protecting public funds
National SecurityInfrastructureEconomyConsumer Protection

Milestones

7 milestones11 actions
Dec 17, 2025House

Held at the desk.

Dec 17, 2025House

Received in the House.

Dec 17, 2025Senate

Message on Senate action sent to the House.

Dec 16, 2025Senate

Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8764-8765; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S8764-8765)

Dec 16, 2025

Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

HELP Response and Recovery Act

Bill NumberS 594
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionHeld at the desk.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(1)
R: 1

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