Ranking Members Thompson & Kennedy Lead Committee Dems in Demanding Answers from Kristi Noem, FEMA on Severe Disaster Recovery Delays

(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Tim Kennedy (D-NY), Ranking Member of the Emergency Management and Technology Subcommittee, led Committee Democrats in sending a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Karen Evans demanding answers regarding systemic delays in FEMA’s disaster recovery operations.
“We write to express serious concern regarding widespread and ongoing delays across the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster recovery operations—delays that are leaving disaster survivors, local governments, and States across the country in prolonged uncertainty and financial distress,” the Ranking Members wrote. “FEMA has systematically failed to make timely determinations, obligate funds, and provide clear guidance for communities attempting to rebuild.”

“Disaster survivors and communities deserve timely decisions, transparency, and accountability—not indefinite delays while recovery remains out of reach. We urge you to act immediately to address these issues and ensure that FEMA’s programs operate as Congress intended,” the Ranking Members concluded.

The Ranking Members also demanded detailed explanations for recovery delays, data on DHS spending reviews, steps being taken to clear backlogs, and documentation to support claims made by Secretary Noem under oath to the Committee.

The full letter is available here.

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