FEMA’s Future in Doubt as White House, Congress Plot Changes
As the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grapples with an increasing number of disasters, there are new questions on how to best manage the agency and provide disaster response for the American people.
The Washington Post reports that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and other officials expressed support for diminishing FEMA’s role in disaster operations by October 1, 2025. Such a move would all but eliminate the agency right in the thick of hurricane season.
The group reportedly discussed stripping FEMA of key functions like helping communities to rebuild after disasters and ending funding for disaster resilience programs.
But it’s not clear how that would go forward, given that FEMA’s existence and functions are written into law.
Congressional Action
Meanwhile, legislation is pending that would remove FEMA from DHS and make it a standalone cabinet-level agency reporting directly to the president.
The FEMA Independence Act was introduced by Representatives Byron Donalds (R-FL) and Jared Moskowitz (D-FL).
Representative Moskowitz, who served as the state of Florida’s emergency management director, said FEMA needs to be reformed not eliminated.
“As these emergencies continue to grow larger and more widespread, the American people deserve a federal response that is efficient and fast. To achieve that, FEMA should be reformed,” said Rep. Moskowitz.
Under the bill, FEMA would have a Senate-confirmed director who must have “a demonstrated ability in and knowledge of emergency management and homeland security.” There would be four deputy directors and ten regional directors.
White House Criticism
President Trump is no fan of FEMA. He has criticized FEMA’s response to disasters such as Hurricane Helene and the Los Angeles wildfires, and is pushing states and local governments to play a bigger role.
“I say you don't need FEMA, you need a good state government," the president said while visiting the Los Angeles fires in January. "FEMA is a very expensive, in my opinion, mostly failed situation."
But FEMA supporters point out that states and local governments already take the lead on disaster response, and that one of the president’s options would be to withdraw federal funding which would be disastrous for many local governments.
Increasing Natural Disasters
The debate over FEMA’s future comes as there were 90 disaster declarations in 2024 alone, nearly double the annual average. That’s according to the International Institute for Environment and Development as reported by CNN.
It meant that in 2024, there was at least one active disaster somewhere in the country for 73 percent of the year.