S. 1617Disaster Assistance for Rural Communities Act

1 recorded action238 of these members are on the 2026 ballotWhat the measure does Read on Congress.gov

Sponsor: James E. Risch [R-ID]
Cosponsors: 4 · 2 Democrats · 2 Republicans
Policy area: Commerce
Committee: Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee
Latest action: Dec 20, 2022 · Became Public Law No: 117-249.

IntroducedMay 13, 2021
Passed the SenateSep 28, 2022
Passed the HouseDec 8, 2022
Sent to the PresidentDec 16, 2022
Became lawDec 20, 2022

What the measure doesCRS summary

Disaster Assistance for Rural Communities Act

This bill authorizes the Small Business Administration (SBA) to declare a disaster in rural areas where significant damage has been incurred for the purpose of providing certain assistance.

A rural area is a county or political subdivision designated as such by the Census Bureau. Significant damage means uninsured losses of not less than 40% of the fair replacement value or pre-disaster fair market value of the damaged property (whichever is less).

For a rural area where the President has declared a major disaster, the SBA may declare a disaster for the purpose of providing economic injury disaster loans if (1) the state or tribal government wherein the rural area is located requests the declaration; and (2) any home, small business, private nonprofit organization, or small agricultural cooperative has incurred significant damage.

The Government Accountability Office must report on (1) any unique challenges to communities in rural areas compared to communities in urbanized areas when seeking economic injury disaster assistance, and (2) any legislative recommendations for improving access to disaster assistance for communities in rural areas.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, describing S. 1617 as public Law on Dec 20, 2022. It is not the text of the measure; a later amendment may have changed what it does.

How every member votedHouse roll call 517

House Dec 8, 2022

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass

Disaster Assistance for Rural Communities Act

Passed · Two-thirds required

406 Yea 8 Nay 17 not voting

Crossed both parties 8 of 414 voting members broke with their own party: 8 Republicans.

Open the official roll call

How the chamber split

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DemocratsRepublicansFilled: YeaRing: NayGrey: not voting or present

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All members431 members

Democratic218 members

Republican213 members

marks half of the votes cast. A party’s majority is the side most of its voting members took.

Cosponsors4 · 2 Democrats · 2 Republicans

Signing on is not a vote: a member can cosponsor S. 1617 and vote against it. 4 signed when it was filed.

DJeanne Shaheen [D-NH]Original

DMargaret Wood Hassan [D-NH]Original

RJohn Kennedy [R-LA]Original

RMike Braun [R-IN]Original

Loading the public record

S. 1617Disaster Assistance for Rural Communities Act

What the measure doesCRS summary

How every member votedHouse roll call 517

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass

How the chamber split

Cosponsors4 · 2 Democrats · 2 Republicans

S. 1617Disaster Assistance for Rural Communities Act

What the measure doesCRS summary

How every member votedHouse roll call 517

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass

How the chamber split

Cosponsors4 · 2 Democrats · 2 Republicans

Who lobbied on S. 16171 organization

Who lobbied on S. 16171 organization