A new bill in Congress aims to classify extreme heat as a major disaster, allowing communities to access critical federal resources as temperatures continue to rise nationwide.
U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen of Nevada and Ruben Gallego of Arizona, along with U.S. Representative Sylvia Garcia of Texas, introduced the Extreme Heat Emergency Act to add extreme heat to the list of disasters eligible for a Major Disaster Declaration under the Stafford Act.
This designation would allow local governments to request federal aid similar to what is available for hurricanes, floods, and wildfires.
The lawmakers pointed to recent extreme heat events and rising death tolls as a growing concern for public safety.
On Monday, Las Vegas recorded its hottest day of the year so far, and officials have reported 29 heat-related deaths in Southern Nevada.
“Last year, more than 500 people died in one single county in Nevada from heat-related illnesses,” said Rosen. “Current federal policy ignores the physical and health risks that such extremely high temperatures have on our communities, which is why I’m introducing a bill to change that. By classifying extreme heat as a major disaster, our communities will be able to receive the federal funding needed to respond and prepare for future extreme heat events.”
Gallego emphasized the national scope of the issue, saying, “Each year, extreme heat kills more Americans than every other form of extreme weather combined. But still the federal government sits on the sideline, leaving state and local governments to drain their funds trying to keep people safe. By adding extreme heat to FEMA’s list of major disasters, we can unlock the funds and support our communities desperately need.”
Garcia echoed the need for federal action. “If you found out that thousands of Americans were dying every year from a single cause, you’d be shocked to learn that the federal government has no plan. But that’s exactly what’s happening with extreme heat. Without a disaster declaration, federal response teams and experts are forced to sit on the sidelines while people suffer and die. That’s unconscionable and it needs to change,” she said. “I’m proud to sponsor the Extreme Heat Emergency Act with Senators Rosen and Gallego to ensure local and state governments don't have to face this challenge alone. Federal law must catch up to the reality we’re living.”
Experts say that the problem is worsening across the country. “It’s only mid-July, and the Southwest, Pacific Northwest, the Midwest, the Mid-Atlantic, and New England have already experienced record high temperatures,” said Hannah Safford, Associate Director of Climate and Environment at the Federation of American Scientists. “Each year, extreme heat causes thousands of deaths and hundreds of billions of dollars in damages to critical infrastructure and economic productivity and overwhelms the capabilities of local governments.”
“The Extreme Heat Emergency Act recognizes extreme heat for what it is — an emergency — that the federal government needs to be ready to support response to before, during, and after the disaster,” Safford added. “Recognizing extreme heat as an emergency is critical to a heat-ready nation, as FAS emphasizes in its 2025 Heat Policy Agenda.”
Lawmakers say the proposed legislation is essential for communities like those in Nevada, Arizona, and Texas, which are often among the hardest hit by extreme temperatures.
