October 08, 2025

Ranking Member Thompson & Kennedy Statement on the Trump Administration Deliberately Withholding Billions in Recovery Funds Meant for States

October 8, 2025 (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, released the following statement on reporting that the Trump Administration deliberately withheld $11 billion in FEMA disaster reimbursements meant for States to mask shortfalls in the agency’s disaster fund and avoid asking Congress for additional emergency funding.

“Yet again, the Trump administration has been caught sketchily withholding FEMA funds meant for our States. Though this time it’s $11 billion in recovery funds which Congress appropriated to reimburse communities for expenses related to the pandemic that began under Trump. It is critical for Congress to know why the Trump administration has done this and when they will correct the error, but they – of course – have been silent on the issue.

“We’re sure Kristi Noem’s inane policy of having to sign off on every dime FEMA spends delayed the reimbursement that our States have been waiting for, but it sure seems like accounting trickery that is supposed to make it seem like the Department is saving money rather than fulfilling its commitments and preparing for future ones. To be clear, by withholding payments owed to States, Kristi Noem is effectively using disaster survivors as pawns to conceal FEMA’s mismanagement and avoid seeking the supplemental funding they know will be needed this year or next.

“Congress authorized these funds to help States close out pandemic costs, not to give this Administration a political talking point about allegedly balancing FEMA’s books. Once again, instead of working transparently with Congress, they are playing games with critical disaster relief dollars. The American people deserve a FEMA that honors its commitments, not one that hides shortfalls through accounting tricks and delayed help.”