Senators Kim and Welch Urge DHS Secretary Mullin to Improve FEMA, Protect Agency from Staffing Cuts, and Deliver Meaningful Reform

The Senators wrote: “As the agency turns a new page, under your leadership, we write to outline several priorities that we hope to advance together.” WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Andy Kim (D-N.J.) , Ranking Member of the Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee that oversees FEMA, and U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) , a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, urged Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin to pursue meaningful Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reform, including improving the agency’s disaster response and recovery timeline. Senators Kim and Welch also encouraged Secretary Mullin to support the nomination of an experienced FEMA Administrator, ensure FEMA is adequately staffed, and cooperate with congressional oversight and Office of the Inspector General (OIG) investigations. The Senators also requested a meeting with their former Senate colleague to discuss these priorities. In the letter, the Senators specifically: Highlighted how delays in approving disaster aid requests were a persistent issue under former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem: “Former Secretary Noem instituted a policy requiring her approval of all expenses exceeding $100,000. Rather than improving fiscal efficiency, this policy all but paralyzed FEMA’s ability to serve the American people in a timely manner…We support your decision to eliminate former Secretary Noem’s approval threshold policy. We also look forward to working with you to find more ways to streamline FEMA’s funding approval process and ensure disaster aid reaches people in need in a timely manner.” Continued to urge Secretary Mullin to swiftly support an experienced FEMA Administrator and improve staffing and culture at the agency: “A lack of consistent, qualified leadership at FEMA has compromised the Agency’s mission. FEMA is currently operating under its third temporary head in fifteen months, fueling widespread uncertainty among employees and policy whiplash that hampers the Agency’s ability to fulfill its mission…FEMA also requires consistent staffing to carry out its emergency management and disaster response duties. We have already seen the consequences of ill-considered staffing cuts carried out by former Secretary Noem.” Underscored how, under former Secretary Noem’s leadership, DHS routinely ignored or delayed responding to legislative oversight inquiries: “Under former Secretary Noem’s leadership, DHS routinely ignored or delayed responding to legislative oversight requests—including requests related to the FEMA Review Council. Senators also have not received responses to questions for the record (QFR) from former Secretary Noem’s March 3rd hearing in the Senate Committee on the Judiciary. We ask that your Department promptly respond to these outstanding requests, which we have enclosed for your review. Finally, according to the DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG), your predecessor obstructed multiple OIG investigations. We urge you to reverse course and allow the OIG to complete its work.” Demanded Secretary Mullin reaffirm FEMA’s independence within DHS as defined under the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act (PKEMRA) after the failed response to Hurricane Katrina: “PKEMRA limits the DHS Secretary’s authority over FEMA’s mission and responsibilities. Former Secretary Noem repeatedly violated PKEMRA by directing actions at FEMA that weakened our emergency management capabilities. We urge you to work with Congress and comply with PKEMRA, allowing FEMA to make its own necessary decisions to help our nation before, during, and after disasters. We are thankful for the actions you have taken so far to comply with this law.” Read Senator Kim and Welch’s full letter to DHS Secretary Mullin. ###