Ranking Member Thompson Statement on Trump Decimating FEMA’s Workforce and Playing Politics with Disaster Assistance with Hurricane Season Coming Soon
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on President Trump continuing to play politics with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), deny disaster assistance to states in need, and decimate FEMA’s workforce – all while hurricane season starts in less than six weeks:
“With hurricane season starting in less than six weeks, news reports indicate that Trump has politicized FEMA to such a degree that 20 percent of its workforce are leaving the Agency. This mass exodus, which includes highly experienced staff, will weaken FEMA and hurt its ability to respond to the increasingly severe and frequent disasters that we see each year – leaving states to fend for themselves and putting American lives at unnecessary risk.
“When we also hear that he is denying disaster aid and grants to Democratic-run states and reportedly fast tracking them for others, Trump is telling the American people that when disasters reach their doors, the Federal government will not come to help. This is not government efficiency, it is unnecessary cruelty that will result in more destruction. Americans deserve better.”
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