Legislation protecting full-time jobs of FEMA Reservists advances Senate

A bill seeking to prevent Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Reservists from losing full-time employment when aiding community disaster response advanced the U.S. Senate last week.

U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Rob Portman (R-OH) introduced the Civilian Reservist Emergency Workforce Act, which the lawmakers indicated would extend employment protections to FEMA Reservists, ensuring the ability to maintain full-time employment when fulfilling reservist duties.

“Our steadfast FEMA Reservists, who are essential to helping Americans recover from disasters and emergencies such as the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, should be protected from losing their employment when they are called into service,” Peters, chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said. “This bipartisan bill will not only help protect these essential workers but also help FEMA recruit and retain Reservists to strengthen our response to disasters.”

Peters indicated he would encourage the bill’s expedited passage while ensuring FEMA is ready to respond whenever disaster strikes.

“FEMA Reservists should be protected from any disadvantage or discrimination due to their service, and that’s why I’m proud the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee passed this bipartisan bill to extend Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act protections to FEMA Reservists,” Portman, Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee ranking member, said. “This bipartisan bill will improve the retention of these highly skilled emergency responders while also strengthening the agency’s readiness to respond to major disasters.”