Ranking Member Thompson Statement on Reports Kristi Noem Bungled Tornado Response After Letting Contract Lapse
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on news reports that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem hindered tornado response by letting a contract lapse for a critical tornado tracking tool typically provided by FEMA and used by search-and-rescue teams:
“Even as she’s about to leave the Department, Kristi Noem’s management of FEMA continues to be a disaster for the American people – and FEMA’s workforce. It is unconscionable that she allowed funding for a critical tornado-tracking system to lapse in the middle of tornado season. First responders have relied on this tool for years, and it has helped rescuers quickly identify tornado damage so they can reach the people who need help the soonest.
“This failure was no accident. FEMA workforce’s hands were tied by the approval bottleneck put in place by Kristi Noem and Corey Lewandowski. To them, their micromanagement and grifting were more important than the safety of the public. We saw this idiocy on display last year when FEMA was unable to renew its call center contract, leading to chaos after the tragic Texas floods.
“It is also unacceptable that she has allowed FEMA leadership to direct its workforce to stop working on active disasters during the government shutdown – even though many of those staff are still being paid, showing up to work, and doing absolutely nothing under the direction of Noem and FEMA leadership.
“The American people – and Congress – need answers as to why the Department continues to hamstring – and damage – FEMA. The American public also needs competent leadership at FEMA, which the Trump administration refuses to provide.”
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