{"id":4167,"date":"2025-08-22T16:26:51","date_gmt":"2025-08-22T21:26:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/westplexnews.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/22\/will-states-take-on-more-fema-duties-congress-trump-council-debate-agencys-fate-2\/"},"modified":"2025-08-22T16:26:51","modified_gmt":"2025-08-22T21:26:51","slug":"will-states-take-on-more-fema-duties-congress-trump-council-debate-agencys-fate-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/westplexnews.com\/index.php\/2025\/08\/22\/will-states-take-on-more-fema-duties-congress-trump-council-debate-agencys-fate-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Will states take on more FEMA duties? Congress, Trump council debate agency\u2019s fate"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/missouriindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/femanorthcarolina-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-post-image\" alt=\"The FEMA Disaster Recovery Center at Weaverville Town Hall on March 29, 2025 in Weaverville, North Carolina. (Photo by Allison Joyce\/Getty Images)\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The FEMA Disaster Recovery Center at Weaverville Town Hall on March 29, 2025 in Weaverville, North Carolina. (Photo by Allison Joyce\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">WASHINGTON \u2014 The Federal Emergency Management Agency could look significantly different by next year\u2019s hurricane season, with state and local governments shouldering more of the responsibility for natural disaster response and recovery.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Members of both political parties have long criticized FEMA, but a bipartisan bill moving along in Congress combined with President Donald Trump\u2019s disdain for the agency may provide momentum for a big shift in emergency management.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Trump has said repeatedly he doesn\u2019t support FEMA\u2019s current structure and wants to see a special review council he put together propose a complete overhaul of the agency, possibly eliminating it entirely. That\u2019s provoked deep concern among some local and state officials who don\u2019t see how they would have the funding or background to handle a sudden natural disaster.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cWe want to wean off of FEMA and we want to bring it down to the state level,\u201d Trump said in June. \u201cWe\u2019re moving it back to the states so the governors can handle it. That\u2019s why they\u2019re governors. Now, if they can\u2019t handle it, they shouldn\u2019t be governor.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure role=\"group\" class=\"caption caption-drupal-media  view-mode--default\">\n<div class=\"drupal-media-wrapper media--view-mode-large\">\n<div class=\"blazy blazy--field blazy--view blazy--field-media-image blazy--field-media-image--large blazy--view--article-feed-categorized-articles blazy--view--article blazy--view--article--categorized-articles field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item\" data-blazy>\n<div data-b-token=\"b-2c552e5f9b7\" class=\"media media--blazy media--image media--responsive is-b-loading\">  <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"media__element b-lazy b-responsive img-fluid\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/missouriindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/disasternc2025-scaled.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" alt=\"Debris and destruction from Hurricane Helene are seen on Dec. 23, 2024 in Lake Lure, North Carolina. (Photo by Melissa Sue Gerrits\/Getty Images)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"figure-caption\">Debris and destruction from Hurricane Helene are seen on Dec. 23, 2024 in Lake Lure, North Carolina. (Photo by Melissa Sue Gerrits\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Trump\u2019s FEMA Review Council,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dhs.gov\/federal-emergency-management-agency-review-council\" target=\"_blank\">a 12-member board<\/a> led by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, has until mid-November to write a report detailing its recommendations for the president.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">But, as Noem has noted several times during the group\u2019s two public meetings, Congress holds authority over FEMA and would need to sign off on any major changes.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Lawmakers, some of whom have spent years working on federal emergency management issues, aren\u2019t waiting for the review council\u2019s report to get started.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves, R-Mo., ranking member Rick Larsen, D-Wash., Florida Republican Rep. Daniel Webster and Arizona Democratic Rep. Greg Stanton released their bill in late July, before the review council held its second meeting. It does not aim to eliminate FEMA.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cFEMA is in need of serious reform, and the goal of the FEMA Act of 2025 is to fix it,\u201d Graves wrote in a statement. \u201cThis bill does more than any recent reforms to cut through the bureaucracy, streamline programs, provide flexibility, and return FEMA to its core purpose of empowering the states to lead and coordinating the federal response when it\u2019s needed.\u201d<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Separately, a U.S. House spending committee is recommending a substantial boost in FEMA funding for the next fiscal year.<\/p>\n<h4>Make FEMA a Cabinet-level agency?<\/h4>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Stanton said during an interview with States Newsroom on Wednesday the Transportation Committee\u2019s bill\u00a0 \u201crecognizes the challenges we have learned from past disasters; that sometimes the rules and regulations in place make it very difficult for victims of natural disasters to get the help that they need, whether it be housing or even financial assistance.\u201d<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The legislation, he said, focuses on four broad improvements:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">Making FEMA a Cabinet-level agency instead of housing it within the Department of Homeland Security;<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">Emphasizing mitigation projects that lessen the impact of natural disasters;<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">Streamlining processes that have become too complex over the years; and<\/li>\n<li dir=\"ltr\">Adding flexibility so states can choose the type of housing or other support that best helps their residents following a natural disaster.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Stanton does not support Trump\u2019s inclination to eliminate FEMA, arguing the federal government should help when local and state governments are overwhelmed by the scale of a natural disaster.<\/p>\n<figure role=\"group\" class=\"caption caption-drupal-media align-left view-mode--small\">\n<div class=\"drupal-media-wrapper media--view-mode-small\">\n<div class=\"blazy blazy--field blazy--view blazy--field-media-image blazy--field-media-image--small blazy--view--article-feed-categorized-articles blazy--view--article blazy--view--article--categorized-articles field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item\" data-blazy>\n<div data-b-token=\"b-ebe5afdc4d0\" class=\"media media--blazy media--image media--responsive is-b-loading\">  <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"media__element b-lazy b-responsive img-fluid\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/missouriindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/gregstanton.jpg\" width=\"175\" height=\"219\" alt=\"U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton, an Arizona Democrat. (Official photo)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"figure-caption\">U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton, an Arizona Democrat. (Official photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cThat\u2019s the whole point of it, that Americans help our fellow Americans at their point of greatest need,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">But Stanton added he\u2019s willing to read through the FEMA Review Council\u2019s report once it\u2019s released and work with its members to improve the agency.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI\u2019m open-minded,\u201d Stanton said. \u201cIf they have good ideas that actually will strengthen FEMA, I\u2019m all ears.\u201d<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The bill, while a sign of bipartisan progress in an increasingly polarized Congress, still has several steps to go before reaching Trump\u2019s desk. To gain his signature, lawmakers may need to blend in some of the review council\u2019s recommendations later this year.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">A handful of outside groups, including the National Emergency Management Association,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/26054955-fema-act-endorsement-letter-8-15-25\/#document\/p1\" target=\"_blank\">sent the committee a letter<\/a> applauding the bipartisan group for its work so far but hinting they expect changes in the coming months.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cWe recognize and appreciate that the legislation is part of an ongoing effort to modernize FEMA and ensure its programs reflect current and emerging challenges,\u201d the four organizations wrote. \u201cIn that spirit, we also await the work of the FEMA Review Council and understand that its recommendations may inform refinements to the legislation.\u201d<\/p>\n<h4>\u2018We\u2019re going to have to turn to our own resources\u2019<\/h4>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The review council\u2019s two public meetings so far haven\u2019t included much debate. The members have mostly shared general statements about grievances with FEMA and issued some warnings for state governments that rely heavily on the federal government.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Phil Bryant, former Republican governor of Mississippi, said that states should prepare to begin spending much more on natural disasters.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cWe\u2019re going to have to turn to our own resources,\u201d Bryant said. \u201cStates are going to have to develop that emergency response fund, take some of their rainy day funds or funds that they may want to use for musical events and put it into disaster recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Larger states or those with strong economies may be able to absorb some of the cost that the federal government has carried for years, but other members of the council have cautioned their colleagues against going too far.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said the committee will need to clearly explain what costs state and local governments will be responsible for and which will be covered by the federal government.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">He also highlighted the challenges of completely reshaping FEMA while it\u2019s in the middle of responding to natural disasters ranging from hurricanes to wildfires to tornadoes.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cWe\u2019re going to be changing the tires on this car while this car is barreling 100 miles an hour,\u201d Youngkin said.<\/p>\n<figure role=\"group\" class=\"caption caption-drupal-media  view-mode--default\">\n<div class=\"drupal-media-wrapper media--view-mode-large\">\n<div class=\"blazy blazy--field blazy--view blazy--field-media-image blazy--field-media-image--large blazy--view--article-feed-categorized-articles blazy--view--article blazy--view--article--categorized-articles field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item\" data-blazy>\n<div data-b-token=\"b-05b0a13b139\" class=\"media media--blazy media--image media--responsive is-b-loading\">  <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"media__element b-lazy b-responsive img-fluid\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/missouriindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/hurricanesandy2025-scaled.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"527\" alt=\"A young boy rides a bike through Hurricane Sandy floodwaters on Oct. 30, 2012 in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey. (Photo by Michael Loccisano\/Getty Images)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"figure-caption\">A young boy rides a bike through Hurricane Sandy floodwaters on Oct. 30, 2012 in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey. (Photo by Michael Loccisano\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Jane Castor, mayor of Tampa, Florida, signaled the panel\u2019s recommendations should take into consideration that many small or rural areas won\u2019t be able to raise the amount of funds they\u2019ve received from FEMA.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cThe locals should be prepared to respond to these incidents in the immediate aftermath,\u201d Castor said. \u201cBut as was stated before, there are some \u2014 London, Kentucky, and Asheville, North Carolina \u2014 (where) this is probably the first time that they\u2019ve probably experienced anything like this. And so we have to be there to help them through the worst of their time.\u201d<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Noem has been blunt in her assessment of FEMA, calling the agency \u201cdisastrous\u201d and \u201cincompetent.\u201d<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">She\u2019s also been clear that Trump doesn\u2019t expect incremental changes but an entirely new approach to how the federal government responds to natural disasters.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cThe president\u2019s vision is that FEMA would not be in the long-term recovery model,\u201d Noem said. \u201cHe wants the state and local governments and emergency management directors to lead response immediately when something happens in a state or jurisdiction and for us to be in a supporting role; a financial role that would be there much in a state block grant model.\u201d<\/p>\n<h4>A wary eye on Trump panel<\/h4>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Local and state officials throughout the country are keeping a close eye on the Trump administration\u2019s review council, wary of the implications a loss in federal disaster response would have on local and state governments.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Houston, Texas, Controller Chris Hollins said on a call with reporters in August the city has typically put away between $25 million and $30 million for natural disasters with the expectation that FEMA would help with additional costs.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">After Trump proposed eliminating FEMA, Hollins began encouraging city leaders \u201cto take a broader look at what\u2019s going to be necessary to be self-reliant. But that\u2019s an incredibly tall task.\u201d<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cIf we\u2019re all on our own, it\u2019s going to put our individual finances in an extreme state of turmoil, because we\u2019re either going to have to tax our citizens and our residents at extremely high rates to have enough money to be prepared, or we\u2019re going to intentionally roll the dice and run the risk of being unprepared when these moments come,\u201d Hollins said. \u201cAnd you know, both of those are unacceptable predicaments.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure role=\"group\" class=\"caption caption-drupal-media  view-mode--default\">\n<div class=\"drupal-media-wrapper media--view-mode-large\">\n<div class=\"blazy blazy--field blazy--view blazy--field-media-image blazy--field-media-image--large blazy--view--article-feed-categorized-articles blazy--view--article blazy--view--article--categorized-articles field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item\" data-blazy>\n<div data-b-token=\"b-7be1e09c559\" class=\"media media--blazy media--image media--responsive is-b-loading\">  <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"media__element b-lazy b-responsive img-fluid\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/missouriindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/hurricanesandytwo-scaled.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"510\" alt=\"A truck cab drives through a neighborhood flooded by Hurricane Sandy on Oct. 30, 2012 in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey. (Photo by Michael Loccisano\/Getty Images)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"figure-caption\">A truck cab drives through a neighborhood flooded by Hurricane Sandy on Oct. 30, 2012 in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey. (Photo by Michael Loccisano\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Minnesota Auditor Julie Blaha said on the same call that some communities will need years or even decades to build up the type of reserve needed to cover just one major natural disaster.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cIn a small town it\u2019s going to be pretty hard to put away millions of dollars, and by the time you can get a reserve of millions of dollars, you are likely to have another disaster,\u201d Blaha said. \u201cThe only way to respond to that, you have to go into debt, and you have again increased costs.\u201d<\/p>\n<h4>Two committees and a funding boost<\/h4>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Congress has a two-track system for determining the size and scope of federal departments like FEMA \u2014 authorizing committees, which set policy and generally determine each agency\u2019s mission, and the appropriations committees that provide funding through annual bills.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee\u2019s bipartisan bill represents a significant step on the authorizing side. But the legislation still has to make it through committee debate, the House floor and the Senate before it could reach Trump\u2019s desk.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Separately, the House Appropriations Committee released a partisan bill earlier this summer that would provide a robust $31.8 billion for FEMA during the next fiscal year, $4.5 billion higher than the agency\u2019s current spending level.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">During debate on the legislation, Florida Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz proposed an amendment that would have blocked any federal funding from being used to eliminate FEMA.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cYes, FEMA needs fixes but FEMA helps all of our communities and we can make it better and should be making it better without killing it,\u201d Wasserman Schultz said. \u201cThe states cannot handle the responsibilities of FEMA in the aftermath of a storm on their own. That is simply not possible.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure role=\"group\" class=\"caption caption-drupal-media  view-mode--default\">\n<div class=\"drupal-media-wrapper media--view-mode-large\">\n<div class=\"blazy blazy--field blazy--view blazy--field-media-image blazy--field-media-image--large blazy--view--article-feeds-v2-feed-categorized-articles-v2 blazy--view--article-feeds-v2 blazy--view--article-feeds-v2--categorized-articles-v2 field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item\" data-blazy>\n<div data-b-token=\"b-5d21d65e219\" class=\"media media--blazy media--image media--responsive is-b-loading\">  <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"media__element b-lazy b-responsive img-fluid\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/missouriindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/kentuckytornado2025-scaled.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" alt=\"James Sexton is overcome by emotions while cleaning up the debris of his house on May 18, 2025 in the community of Sunshine Hills outside of London, Kentucky. A tornado struck the neighborhood just after midnight on May 17, 2025. (Photo by Michael Swensen\/Getty Images)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"figure-caption\">James Sexton is overcome by emotions while cleaning up the debris of his house on May 18, 2025 in the community of Sunshine Hills outside of London, Kentucky. A tornado struck the neighborhood just after midnight on May 17, 2025. (Photo by Michael Swensen\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Republicans opposed the amendment, arguing the spending panel shouldn\u2019t do anything that would tie the hands of the review council, the authorizing committees, or Trump.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Oklahoma Republican Rep. Stephanie Bice sharply criticized FEMA during debate, saying the agency \u201cisn\u2019t working anymore\u201d and has \u201cbecome bloated.\u201d<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">But Bice also made the point that federal funding is necessary, saying she was trying to address issues within her district \u201cwhere FEMA hasn\u2019t paid for disaster debris removal for two years.\u201d<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cThese communities cannot afford the huge costs of debris removal for two years or more when FEMA doesn\u2019t pay them, reimburse them for the services that they have provided,\u201d Bice said. \u201cThis can\u2019t continue.\u201d<\/p>\n<h4>Dems say Congress in charge<\/h4>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Democrats on the committee, including Maryland Rep. Steny Hoyer, urged their GOP colleagues to support the amendment, pressing for any changes to FEMA to be made solely by Congress.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cIf FEMA needs reforming, and I may certainly agree with that, we are the reformers,\u201d Hoyer said.<\/p>\n<figure role=\"group\" class=\"caption caption-drupal-media  view-mode--default\">\n<div class=\"drupal-media-wrapper media--view-mode-large\">\n<div class=\"blazy blazy--field blazy--view blazy--field-media-image blazy--field-media-image--large blazy--view--article-feed-categorized-articles blazy--view--article blazy--view--article--categorized-articles field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item\" data-blazy>\n<div data-b-token=\"b-27bb623cc8e\" class=\"media media--blazy media--image media--responsive is-b-loading\">  <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"media__element b-lazy b-responsive img-fluid\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/missouriindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/disasternctwo2025-scaled.jpg\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" alt=\"A storm-damaged apartment building in a landscape scarred by Hurricane Helene on March 24, 2025 near Swannanoa, North Carolina. (Photo by Sean Rayford\/Getty Images)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"figure-caption\">A storm-damaged apartment building in a landscape scarred by Hurricane Helene on March 24, 2025 near Swannanoa, North Carolina. (Photo by Sean Rayford\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">North Carolina Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards, who represents western sections of the state devastated by Hurricane Helene, said he opposed the amendment because he wanted to see a complete overhaul of FEMA \u2014 though he appeared to back the idea that lawmakers should decide what changes and when.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cThere are few people in this room that have more up close and personal interaction with FEMA over the last eight months than I,\u201d Edwards said. \u201cUp until Sept. 27, FEMA was nothing more than a line item on a budget for me. Since Sept. 27, I\u2019ve very much been getting an education.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">\u201cI can tell you that FEMA needs major reform and Congress is best suited to do that.\u201d<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The FEMA Disaster Recovery Center at Weaverville Town Hall on March 29, 2025 in Weaverville, North Carolina. (Photo by Allison Joyce\/Getty Images) WASHINGTON \u2014 The Federal Emergency Management Agency could look significantly different by next year\u2019s hurricane season, with state and local governments shouldering more of the responsibility for natural disaster response and recovery. Members&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4168,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4167","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Will states take on more FEMA duties? 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