Schwartz achieved a major accomplishment this week when a proposal she authored on FEMA’s part-time emergency response personnel moved forward in Congress.  Portions of Schwartz’s proposal, the Disaster Assistance Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, were included in overall FEMA legislation, the RESPOND Act, which passed the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Wednesday, May 17.

Schwartz’s proposal would ensure that temporary FEMA workers, known as Disaster Assistance Employees, would be able to assist in emergency efforts without fear of losing their regular employment. During the committee consideration of the overall FEMA bill, Schwartz also secured a commitment from Chairman Don Young and Ranking Member James Oberstar to continue working with her to ensure that the final plan will include specific standards for employment protections for Disaster Assistance Employees.

“Disaster Assistance Employees are a critical part of our nation’s emergency response system. But despite our knowing firsthand how important these workers are to disaster and recovery efforts, Disaster Assistance Employees are not provided with employment protections. This harms our nation’s ability to respond effectively to disaster and recovery efforts,” said Congresswoman Schwartz.

A local Disaster Assistance Employee praised Schwartz’s effort.

"It is critical for the United States to have a system of well-trained, well-qualified individuals ready and able to assist in the event of disaster, whether it's natural or man-made. Congresswoman Schwartz is leading an important step forward to make certain that Disaster Assistance Employees are covered with reemployment protections,” said Richard Rowley of Roslyn, Pennsylvania.

Annually thousands of Americans serve as Disaster Assistance Employees. Schwartz’s proposal would extend the same type of reemployment protections provided to National Guard and military reservists to Disaster Assistance Employees. Her proposal would prohibit an employer from terminating, demoting, or discriminating against an employee who takes no more than 90 days a year off to serve as a Disaster Assistance Employee. During the time period a Disaster Assistance Employee is working for FEMA, employers could withhold employee pay. In addition, employees would be required to make a reasonable effort to inform their employer of their intended absence.

Schwartz also voted this week to reestablish FEMA as an independent cabinet-level agency.

“Hurricanes Katrina and Rita served as a cruel reminder of just how woefully unprepared we remain to respond to a disaster.  This is unacceptable, and I am demanding that we do better,” said Schwartz.