The gist

Expands federal post-disaster crisis counseling to include substance use and alcohol treatment, helping survivors of hurricanes, wildfires, and floods get addiction support alongside mental health care.

Who wins, who loses

• Wins: disaster survivors struggling with addiction, recovery providers, communities hit by repeat climate disasters.
• Loses: no one materially; expands existing program without cutting other services.

What it does

• Amends Section 416 of the Stafford Act to add substance use and alcohol use to covered crisis counseling.
• Lets the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) fund addiction treatment organizations after presidentially-declared disasters.
• Requires FEMA to update application forms within 180 days of enactment.
• Orders a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on how long aid lasts and whether FEMA follows the rules.

Why should I care?

Supporters say disasters trigger huge spikes in relapse and new addiction, and current federal aid ignores that reality. Critics worry about expanding FEMA's mission when the agency already struggles with housing and rebuilding backlogs. With climate disasters hitting more communities yearly, teens in affected areas could see family members get help faster. Where do you land? Vote below and use "Tell Your Rep" to make sure your voice reaches Congress.