Dive Brief: - The U.S. House Appropriations Committee on Thursday approved the 2027 Homeland Security spending bill, which proposes $34.1 billion for Federal Emergency Management Agency programs — an increase of more than $2 billion over current funding. - The bill allocates $28.4 billion for the Disaster Relief Fund supporting response and recovery efforts following major disasters and emergencies, $3.8 billion for grant programs, education, trainings and exercises for local and state firefighters, first responders and emergency managers, and $106 million for the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium to deliver training and technical assistance to emergency first responders. - “It appears the House is on track to provide modest increases to the full suite of preparedness grants,” International Association of Emergency Managers-USA President Josh Morton told Smart Cities Dive in an email. “In a very difficult fiscal environment, the House Appropriations Committee has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to [Emergency Management Performance Grants] as the foundational federal investment in state, local, tribal, and territorial emergency management capabilities.” Dive Insight: The Homeland Security Appropriations Bill provides a total discretionary allocation of $64.9 billion for the Department of Homeland Security, with $2.9 billion for defense activities, $6.2 billion in discretionary appropriations offset by fee collections and $28.4 billion as an allocation adjustment for major disaster response and recovery activities. “Securing the homeland and keeping Americans safe in their communities is a fundamental duty of the federal government,” Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole, R-Okla., said in a statement. “With major national events such as the 2028 Olympic Games on the horizon, [the bill] prioritizes the capabilities necessary to protect the public and respond swiftly to emerging threats. The bill also strengthens disaster preparedness and recovery efforts, ensuring states and local communities are better equipped to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.” Rep. Harold