Real bill currently in Congress c/o HR/119/10122
STORM FORTIFIED and Wildfire Prepared Act
Latest action (2026-08-20): Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
The Framers
“Founders’ Verdict”
Confidence 0.50
Synthesis
The bill exceeds the enumerated powers of Congress by establishing a federal revolving loan fund for state grants for private roof installations, which is not authorized under the General Welfare Clause or any other enumerated power, and violates the Tenth Amendment by encroaching on state and local authority over property and building standards.
This bill establishes a revolving loan fund administered by the federal government to assist state agencies in making grants for fortified roofs. The Constitution grants Congress the power to provide for the general welfare and to regulate commerce among the several states (Article I, Section 8, Clause 1). The promotion of resilient infrastructure, such as fortified roofs, falls within the scope of the general welfare, as it protects property and reduces economic disruption from natural disasters, thereby supporting interstate commerce. Additionally, the federal government may attach condition…
This bill proposes a federal revolving loan fund to subsidize state grants for private roof installations. The Constitution grants the federal government only enumerated powers, and no provision in Article I, Section 8 authorizes Congress to establish such a fund for local building improvements. The Tenth Amendment reserves all powers not delegated to the United States to the States or the people. Furthermore, the General Welfare Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 1) cannot be stretched to justify this expenditure, as it is not a general matter of national concern but a local property issue.…
This bill exceeds the limited and enumerated powers of the federal government. The Constitution grants Congress authority to provide for the common defense and general welfare, but the 'general welfare' clause is not an independent grant of power; it is limited by the subsequent enumeration of powers. Establishing a federal revolving loan fund for roof grants to states does not fall within any enumerated power—it is not necessary for the execution of any delegated power, nor does it regulate interstate commerce in a direct and substantial manner. Such a program intrudes upon the police powers …
The bill establishes a revolving loan fund to assist state agencies in making grants for the installation of Fortified Roofs. This is an exercise of Congress's power to tax and spend for the general welfare, as vested by Article I, Section 8, Clause 1. The fund is a means to promote the general welfare by enhancing the resilience of structures against natural disasters, a matter affecting the national economy and public safety. As held in McCulloch v. Maryland, Congress may choose any means not prohibited by the Constitution and consistent with its letter and spirit, so long as the end is legi…
What should pass
“AI Consensus Solution”
Resilient Roofing Block Grant Act of 2025
To provide federal financial assistance to states for grants to homeowners to install more disaster-resistant roofs, thereby reducing property damage and loss of life from severe weather events.
Bipartisan rationale: Democratic priorities honored: significant federal investment in climate resilience, help for homeowners in disaster-prone areas, and a role for FEMA. Republican priorities honored: voluntary state participation, no federal mandates on building codes, state discretion in program design, a 25% state match to limit federal spending, and a 5-year sunset to ensure program review and limit permanent expansion.
Vote-count path: ~250 House votes: 195 Democrats + 55 Republicans from coastal and disaster-prone districts; ~62 Senate votes: 48 Democrats + 14 Republicans from states with high hurricane or tornado risk.