Press Releases

Today, Congressman Mike Ezell (MS-04) and Congresswoman Laura Friedman (CA-30) introduced the Don’t Penalize Victims Act to ensure that donations like those from faith-based organizations, community fundraisers, and platforms like GoFundMe do not make disaster victims ineligible for FEMA benefits. 

"Disaster victims shouldn’t have to choose between accepting help from their neighbors and receiving the federal assistance they desperately need. FEMA’s current policies unfairly penalize those who receive aid from faith-based organizations, community fundraisers, or platforms like GoFundMe. The Don’t Penalize Victims Act ensures that private charitable support doesn’t count against federal disaster relief. When disaster strikes, every dollar of assistance matters—we can’t let bureaucracy stand in the way of recovery. I’m proud to partner with Rep. Friedman to address these issues and ensure FEMA works better for the people we serve,” Ezell said.

“I commend Congressman Ezell for his leadership on this legislation and other bills over the years to reform disaster assistance programs and make them work better for victims," Chairman Sam Graves said. "Americans who have been hit with disaster and are trying to rebuild their lives shouldn’t have to worry about the federal government coming to take back money that they’ve been provided to help them recover.”

“At a time that they’re picking through the wreckage of their homes and livelihoods, disaster victims shouldn’t also have to be aware of complex rules just to get the federal support they deserve, and they definitely should not be penalized for accepting charitable donations,” Friedman said. “They shouldn’t be punished for surviving a disaster, whether that’s by the government or by price gougers looking to make a quick buck.”