Congressional Hearing Highlights Need for FEMA Reform
On March 4, the U.S. House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology held its initial oversight hearing of 2025 to examine the future of FEMA, assessing its responsibilities, financial management, and coordination with state and local entities in disaster response. Witnesses, including former FEMA officials and emergency management leaders, emphasized the urgent need to modernize the agency while maintaining critical disaster response and mitigation programs.
The new Subcommittee Chairman Dale Strong (R-AL) set the tone in his opening statement.
“Our states and localities deserve all the help they can get in protecting people’s lives and property against deadly disasters and the aid FEMA delivers is greatly appreciated and greatly needed,” Strong said. “But as recent events demonstrate, there is room for improvement. We must ask what efficiencies can be found and what reforms can be implemented to create a better emergency management enterprise.”
Witness testimony was provided by Jeff Smitherman, director of the Alabama Emergency Management Agency; Daniel Kaniewski, managing director of the public sector at Marsh McLennan; Carrie Speranza, president of the U.S. Council of the International Association of Emergency Managers; and Timothy Manning, former deputy administrator for protection and national preparedness at FEMA.
All offered suggestions for how FEMA could be improved, and there was a clear and consistent call to reform rather than eliminate the agency.
‘We Can Fix FEMA’
A key concern among witnesses was recent cuts to FEMA’s staffing and concern for any reduction of emphasis on preparedness, long-term planning, and mitigation. Ranking Member Rep. Tim Kennedy (D-NY) warned that reducing FEMA’s workforce during a time of increasing climate-driven disasters would be “reckless and dangerous.” Manning echoed this, noting that the agency is relatively small for its mission, and recent staff reductions have hurt morale and operational capacity. He emphasized that indiscriminate cuts would slow decision-making and reduce FEMA’s effectiveness.
Several witnesses also discussed the possibility of making FEMA an independent agency again with a cabinet-level director, which is something ASFPM has long supported. During the hearing, Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) strongly advocated removing FEMA from the Department of Homeland Security and said he is sponsoring legislation to do so. He argued that the agency’s ability to be nimble has been hindered by DHS’s broad scope and competing priorities.
“I implore my colleagues, let’s not politicize disaster aid,” said Moskowitz. “That will not help blue states or red states. You’re going to be punishing your constituents, Americans, patriots, soldiers, first responders, police departments, fire departments. But we can fix FEMA. We can reform it, we can save it.”
Ranking Member Tim Kennedy (D-NY) underscored the stakes of reform efforts, stating, “Make no mistake about it, there’s work to be done to improve FEMA, but dismantling its experienced workforce is reckless and dangerous. As climate change fuels more frequent and severe disasters, our focus must be on strengthening FEMA’s ability to respond, not weakening it.” He also pointed out FEMA’s broader mission beyond disaster response: “While a lot of today’s conversation is likely to focus on natural disasters, FEMA does more than disaster response. It provides critical preparedness grants to communities nationwide.”
Stretched Thin and the Need for Focus
Kaniewski, a former acting deputy FEMA administrator, warned of the consequences of FEMA’s expanding responsibilities, stating that “at various times we’ve seen FEMA stretched thin.” He pointed to the 2017 hurricane season, where back-to-back disasters exposed the agency’s limits. Kaniewski also noted that while disaster response is when FEMA is in the spotlight, “what FEMA does before a disaster strikes is equally important.”
Some witnesses commented that FEMA’s core mission — disaster preparedness, response, and recovery — has been diluted by increasing responsibilities into non-core areas. Redefining FEMA’s role and reducing administrative burdens were suggested as steps toward improving efficiency.
Many witnesses and members who spoke at the hearing also emphasized the importance of state and local partnerships in disaster preparedness and recovery.
“I believe disaster preparedness, response, and recovery for all incidents start and end at the local level and that the relationship is critical between federal, state, tribal, and local emergency management,” said Smitherman. “Each jurisdiction maintains separate authorities and capabilities but must work together by connecting and supporting one another to effectively and timely save lives and protect property.” He also called for a stronger role for state emergency management directors, advocating for a director to be included in FEMA’s review process and on the President’s FEMA Review Council.
Strengthening Resilience and Hazard Mitigation Programs
Multiple witnesses emphasized the importance of FEMA’s hazard mitigation programs, including the Building Resilient Infrastructure in Communities (BRIC) program. IAEM’s Speranza, stressed that FEMA must maintain and strengthen its mitigation programs, which “drive long-term change by helping communities safeguard against future risk.” She also called for reforms that would incentivize disaster-resistant planning at the local and state levels.
Kaniewski reinforced this perspective, stating that FEMA should not be viewed as “the federal government’s ATM for reimbursing states” but rather as “the nation’s risk manager.” He highlighted the strong return on investment of pre-disaster mitigation programs, which reduce future disaster costs and suffering.
Reforming the Stafford Act and Public Assistance Programs
Witnesses widely agreed that FEMA’s Stafford Act programs — such as Public Assistance and hazard mitigation grants — must be reformed to reduce bureaucracy and improve speed and efficiency of delivery. Smitherman, representing Alabama’s emergency management office, pointed out that while FEMA’s support is invaluable during disaster recovery, the current system is overly complex and slow. He advocated for streamlined funding processes that get money to local governments more quickly.
Speranza called for amendments to the Stafford Act to modernize FEMA’s operational framework and ensure more efficient disaster response. “It is a necessary step in this process and we need your help. Mr. Chairman and ranking member, the International Association of Emergency Managers fully supports a comprehensive review and reform of FEMA,” said Speranza.
ASFPM supports efforts to streamline Stafford Act programs while ensuring that flood mitigation and resilience-building efforts remain a top priority.
Moving Forward: A Call for Comprehensive Reform
As Chairman Strong stated in his opening remarks, state and local governments have become increasingly reliant on FEMA. The hearing underscored the need for a balanced approach where federal support is complemented by strong state and local preparedness efforts. ASFPM leadership echoed the need for a coordinated approach to managing flood risk.
“Since our creation, ASFPM has always viewed managing flood risk as a joint responsibility of local, state and federal government,” said Chad Berginnis, ASFPM Executive Director. “All levels of government must be involved and all are important. In the past several weeks, where we have seen efforts to substantially degrade the capability of federal agencies working to reduce the impact of flooding on people, this hearing was a good reminder of what is at stake and the importance of our shared responsibilities to protect people and property.”
All in all, the hearing the served as a critical opening dialog on the future of FEMA. ASFPM urges everyone to watch the recording of the hearing and read the written testimony. Investing in resilience, refining disaster assistance programs, and ensuring a fully staffed and well-supported FEMA are critical steps to improving the nation’s disaster preparedness and response capabilities.