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Debate Surrounds the Future of FEMA Amid Calls for Independent Status

During a recent Cabinet meeting, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced plans for the elimination of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In a contrasting move, bipartisan lawmakers have proposed legislation aimed at transforming FEMA into an independent entity, separate from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Noem’s comments about FEMA arose while she was discussing various operations within DHS, including immigration enforcement measures at the southern border and developments regarding the Coast Guard. In closing her remarks, she stated emphatically, “we’re going to eliminate FEMA.”

The potential dissolution of FEMA raises questions about the authority of the Trump administration to alter the agency’s status, particularly as it is established through federal statute. Such changes may require congressional approval to be executed legally.

In response to the administration’s focus on restructuring, Representatives Jared Moskowitz, a Democrat from Florida and former director of emergency management in the state, and Byron Donalds, a Republican also from Florida and a gubernatorial candidate backed by President Trump, have introduced a bill to elevate FEMA to a standalone, Cabinet-level agency.

Moskowitz articulated his views, stating, “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.” He criticized the current structure, which places FEMA under the broader DHS umbrella encompassing approximately 20 other agencies, arguing that it hampers rapid emergency responses.

Similarly, Donalds expressed that FEMA should operate independently, directly reporting to the president. He labeled the agency as “overly-bureaucratic, overly-politicized [and] overly-inefficient.”

The proposed legislation indicates that the president would appoint a director for FEMA, alongside up to four deputy directors, pending Senate confirmation. Currently, only the FEMA administrator and deputy administrator require such confirmation, according to the 2024 Plum Book.

The measure stipulates that FEMA’s director must possess at least five years of executive leadership experience in both public and private sectors, mirroring the existing requirement for the administrator role, which only mandates experience in one sector.

Moreover, the bill seeks to preserve FEMA’s 10 regional offices and establish an independent inspector general for the agency.

The direction of FEMA has faced scrutiny since President Trump’s comments during a visit to North Carolina in January. While assessing hurricane damage, he voiced a desire to reconsider FEMA’s role in favor of increasing states’ responsibilities in disaster management. “FEMA has been a very big disappointment. They cost a tremendous amount of money. It’s very bureaucratic, and it’s very slow,” he remarked, suggesting state governments should take a more active role in addressing their disaster management needs.

In March, Trump signed an executive order aimed at delegating more disaster preparedness responsibilities to state and local levels, directing the creation of a National Resilience Strategy. However, this order does not initiate any formal changes to FEMA itself.

Furthermore, a related fact sheet issued by the administration states that the order assists state and local governments in understanding and addressing their constituents’ needs, reducing the complexity involved in federal emergency management policies.

In response to Noem’s comment regarding FEMA, a senior DHS official acknowledged efforts to reduce inefficiencies within the agency, emphasizing that state and local officials are better positioned to manage disaster recovery efforts than federal agents.

Recent reports indicate that FEMA is under new restrictions that require contract renewals for much of its staff to gain approval from DHS, alongside a hiring freeze. These developments were highlighted in an article by CBS News.

A 2023 Gallup poll revealed that nearly half of Americans—49%—rated FEMA’s performance as excellent or good, marking one of the highest evaluations in recent surveys, as noted by Gallup.

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