The Trump administration has taken steps to weaken FEMA’s capacity by shifting much of its responsibility to individual states. As a result, the agency has lost key personnel in areas like evacuation logistics and shelter operations, raising concerns about its preparedness for major disasters.
In response, U.S. Rep. Julie Johnson, D-Farmers Branch, is urging the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee to hold an oversight hearing on the federal government’s handling of the recent flooding in Texas. As vice ranking member of the committee, Johnson wants to examine whether FEMA has the necessary resources to assist states and localities in future emergencies.
Johnson’s call is backed by the panel’s top Democrat, Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, and other House Democrats. In a letter to Committee Chair Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn., they pointed out that officials failed to send alerts through FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System until after flooding had already begun.
“The flooding — which has killed over 100 people, displaced hundreds, and devastated communities along the Guadalupe River — raises serious concerns about FEMA’s readiness and highlights the damaging role that the Trump administration has played in weakening the Federal government’s capacity to respond to disasters,” the lawmakers wrote.
The Trump administration has argued that it wants to make FEMA more flexible, a position supported by several GOP lawmakers. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, defended the agency’s past disaster response efforts, including its role in recovery from Hurricane Harvey. Still, lawmakers warn that without a fully staffed and properly funded FEMA, vulnerable communities may struggle to receive the help they need as the most active part of hurricane season approaches.
