"Fixing Emergency Management: Examining Improvements to FEMA's Disaster Response"

1[House Hearing, 119 Congress]2[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]34                       FIXING EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: EXAMINING5                      IMPROVEMENTS TO FEMA'S DISASTER RESPONSE6=======================================================================78                                (119-28)910                                HEARING1112                               BEFORE THE1314                            SUBCOMMITTEE ON15                   ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PUBLIC BUILDINGS, AND16                            EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT1718                                 OF THE1920                              COMMITTEE ON21                   TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE22                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES2324                    ONE HUNDRED NINETEENTH CONGRESS2526                             FIRST SESSION2728                               __________2930                             JULY 23, 20253132                               __________3334                       Printed for the use of the35             Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure3637[GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]3839     Available online at: https://www.govinfo.gov/committee/house-40     transportation?path=/browsecommittee/chamber/house/committee/41                             transportation4243                                __________4445                   U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE4662-144 PDF                  WASHINGTON : 20254748-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------4950             COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE5152  Sam Graves, Missouri, Chairman53 Rick Larsen, Washington, Ranking54              Member55Eleanor Holmes Norton,               Eric A. ``Rick'' Crawford,56  District of Columbia               Arkansas,57Jerrold Nadler, New York               Vice Chairman58John Garamendi, California           Daniel Webster, Florida59Henry C. ``Hank'' Johnson, Jr.,      Georgiaomas Massie, Kentucky60Andre Carson, Indiana                Scott Perry, Pennsylvania61Dina Titus, Nevada                   Brian Babin, Texas62Jared Huffman, California            David Rouzer, North Carolina63Julia Brownley, California           Mike Bost, Illinois64Frederica S. Wilson, Florida         Doug LaMalfa, California65Mark DeSaulnier, California          Bruce Westerman, Arkansas66Salud O. Carbajal, California        Brian J. Mast, Florida67Greg Stanton, Arizona                Pete Stauber, Minnesota68Sharice Davids, Kansas               Tim Burchett, Tennessee69Jesus G. ``Chuy'' Garcia, Illinois   Dusty Johnson, South Dakota70Chris Pappas, New Hampshire          Jefferson Van Drew, New Jersey71Seth Moulton, Massachusetts          Troy E. Nehls, Texas72Marilyn Strickland, Washington       Tracey Mann, Kansas73Patrick Ryan, New York               Burgess Owens, Utah74Val T. Hoyle, Oregon                 Eric Burlison, Missouri75Emilia Strong Sykes, Ohio,           Mike Collins, Georgia76  Vice Ranking Member                Mike Ezell, Mississippi77Hillary J. Scholten, Michigan        Kevin Kiley, California78Valerie P. Foushee, North Carolina   Vince Fong, California79Christopher R. Deluzio, Pennsylvania Tony Wied, Wisconsin80Robert Garcia, California            Tom Barrett, Michigan81Nellie Pou, New Jersey               Nicholas J. Begich III, Alaska82Kristen McDonald Rivet, Michigan     Robert P. Bresnahan, Jr.,83Laura Friedman, California           Pennsylvania84Laura Gillen, New York               Jeff Hurd, Colorado85Shomari Figures, Alabama             Jefferson Shreve, Indiana86Vacancy                              Addison P. McDowell, North87                                     Carolina88                                     David J. Taylor, Ohio89                                     Brad Knott, North Carolina90                                     Kimberlyn King-Hinds,91                                       Northern Mariana Islands92                                     Mike Kennedy, Utah93                                     Robert F. Onder, Jr., Missouri94                                     Jimmy Patronis, Florida95                                ------                                79697      Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and98                          Emergency Management99100    Scott Perry, Pennsylvania,101             Chairman102  Greg Stanton, Arizona, Ranking103              Member104Eleanor Holmes Norton,               Mike Ezell, Mississippi105  District of Columbia               Kevin Kiley, California106Kristen McDonald Rivet, Michigan     Tom Barrett, Michigan107Shomari Figures, Alabama             Robert P. Bresnahan, Jr.,108John Garamendi, California           Pennsylvania109Dina Titus, Nevada                   Kimberlyn King-Hinds,110Laura Friedman, California,            Northern Mariana Islands111  Vice Ranking Member                Mike Kennedy, Utah112Rick Larsen, Washington (Ex Officio) Robert F. Onder, Jr., Missouri,113                                       Vice Chairman114                                     Sam Graves, Missouri (Ex Officio)115116                                CONTENTS117118                                                                   Page119120Summary of Subject Matter........................................     v121122                 STATEMENTS OF MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE123124Hon. Scott Perry, a Representative in Congress from the125  Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and Chairman, Subcommittee on126  Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency127  Management, opening statement..................................     1128    Prepared statement...........................................     3129Hon. Greg Stanton, a Representative in Congress from the State of130  Arizona, and Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Economic131  Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management,132  opening statement..............................................    11133    Prepared statement...........................................    13134Hon. Rick Larsen, a Representative in Congress from the State of135  Washington, and Ranking Member, Committee on Transportation and136  Infrastructure, opening statement..............................    14137    Prepared statement...........................................    15138139                                WITNESS140141David Richardson, Senior Official Performing the Duties of FEMA142  Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S.143  Department of Homeland Security, oral statement................    17144    Prepared statement...........................................    19145146                       SUBMISSIONS FOR THE RECORD147148Submissions for the Record by Hon. Scott Perry:149    Statement of the National Association of Mutual Insurance150      Companies..................................................     3151    Letter and Attachment of July 22, 2025, to Hon. Scott Perry,152      Chairman, and Hon. Greg Stanton, Ranking Member,153      Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and154      Emergency Management, from Jack Waldorf, Executive155      Director, Western Governors' Association...................     7156News Coverage of the July 4, 2025, Texas Hill Country Floods,157  Submitted for the Record by Hon. Greg Stanton..................    13158Letter of July 16, 2025, to Hon. Kristi Noem, Secretary, U.S.159  Department of Homeland Security, and Hon. David Richardson,160  Senior Official Performing the Duties of FEMA Administrator,161  Federal Emergency Management Agency. from Hon. Greg Landsman162  and Hon. Warren Davidson, Submitted for the Record by Hon. Mike163  Ezell..........................................................    25164FEMA Statutory Authorities, Structural Protections, and Selected165  Delegations as Compiled by the Congressional Research Service,166  Submitted for the Record by Hon. Rick Larsen...................    27167Letter of April 9, 2025, to Cameron Hamilton, Senior Official168  Performing the Duties of FEMA Administrator, Federal Emergency169  Management Agency, from Hon. Robert P. Bresnahan, Jr.,170  Submitted for the Record by Hon. Robert P. Bresnahan, Jr.......    48171172                                APPENDIX173174Questions to David Richardson, Senior Official Performing the175  Duties of FEMA Administrator, Federal Emergency Management176  Agency, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, from:177    Hon. Scott Perry.............................................    55178    Hon. Mike Ezell..............................................    58179    Hon. Mike Bost...............................................    59180    Hon. Greg Stanton............................................    60181    Hon. John Garamendi..........................................    62182183[GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]184185                             July 18, 2025186187    SUMMARY OF SUBJECT MATTER188189    TO:      LMembers, Subcommittee on Economic Development,190Public Buildings, and Emergency Management191    FROM:  LStaff, Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public192Buildings, and Emergency Management193    RE:      LSubcommittee Hearing on ``Fixing Emergency194Management: Examining Improvements to FEMA's Disaster195Response''196_______________________________________________________________________197198                               I. PURPOSE199200    The Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings,201and Emergency Management of the Committee on Transportation and202Infrastructure will meet on Wednesday July 23, 2025, at 10:00203a.m. ET in 2167 of the Rayburn House Office Building to receive204testimony at a hearing entitled, ``Fixing Emergency Management:205Examining Improvements to FEMA's Disaster Response.'' This206hearing will examine how FEMA fulfills its mission and enhances207its operations to ensure that ``America is equipped to prepare208for and respond to disasters.'' \1\ At the hearing, Members209will receive testimony from Mr. David Richardson, Senior210Official Performing the Duties of the Federal Emergency211Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator.212---------------------------------------------------------------------------213    \1\ Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), About Us, (last214updated Jan. 22, 2025), available at https://www.fema.gov/about.215---------------------------------------------------------------------------216217                             II. BACKGROUND218219FEDERAL ASSISTANCE FOR DISASTERS220221    FEMA is the Federal Government's lead agency in preparing222for, mitigating against, responding to, and recovering from223disasters and emergencies related to all hazards--whether224natural or man-made.\2\ FEMA's primary authority in carrying225out these functions stems from the Robert T. Stafford Disaster226Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act; P.L. 100-227707, as amended).\3\ The Stafford Act authorizes three types of228declarations: (1) major disaster declarations; (2) emergency229declarations; and (3) fire management grant (FMAG)230declarations.\4\231---------------------------------------------------------------------------232    \2\ Department of Homeland Security, FEMA, (last updated June 10,2332024), available at https://www.dhs.gov/employee-resources/federal-234emergency-management-agency-fema.235    \3\ Stafford Act, Pub. L. No. 93-288.236    \4\ Id.237---------------------------------------------------------------------------238239PRESIDENTIALLY DECLARED MAJOR DISASTER240241    When communities are overwhelmed and the ``situation is242beyond the capability of the State and affected local243governments or Indian tribal government and that supplemental244federal emergency assistance is necessary to save lives and245protect property, public health and safety, or to lesson or246avert the threat of a disaster,'' \5\ the Governor of the247affected state may request the President declare a major248disaster.\6\ FEMA's primary Stafford Act programs for disaster249recovery in the aftermath of a major disaster are in the Public250Assistance Program and the Individual Assistance and Households251Program (IHP).\7\ Following a major disaster declaration, FEMA252may also provide Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)253funds.\8\254---------------------------------------------------------------------------255    \5\ FEMA, How a Disaster Gets Declared, (last updated July 22,2562024), available at http://fema.gov/disaster/how-declared.257    \6\ Id.258    \7\ Id.259    \8\ Id.260---------------------------------------------------------------------------261    The Public Assistance Program, authorized primarily by262Sections 403, 406, and 428 of the Stafford Act, reimburses263state, tribal, and territorial governments as well as certain264private non-profits for repairing and rebuilding disaster265damaged buildings and infrastructure.\9\ Additionally, the266Public Assistance Program also reimburses for costs associated267with debris removal and emergency protective measures268undertaken to reduce threats to public health and safety. The269Public Assistance Program does not provide direct services to270citizens for private property damage. The Federal cost-share271for Public Assistance is 75 percent, but may be increased by272the President.\10\273---------------------------------------------------------------------------274    \9\ FEMA, Assistance for Governments and Private Non-Profits After275a Disaster, (last updated Jan. 8, 2025), available at https://276www.fema.gov/assistance/public.277    \10\ 42 U.S.C. Sec.  5172.278---------------------------------------------------------------------------279    The IHP is authorized primarily by Section 408 of the280Stafford Act. The IHP includes the Individuals and Households281Program, Mass Care and Emergency Assistance, the Crisis282Counseling Assistance and Training Program, Disaster283Unemployment Assistance, Disaster Legal Services, and Disaster284Case Management.\11\ IHP is the primary FEMA program used to285assist disaster survivors; it includes housing assistance and286other needs assistance. Housing assistance includes money for287repair, rental assistance, or ``direct assistance,'' such as288the provision of temporary housing.\12\ The limit for IHP289assistance adjusted annually for inflation, and the current290limit is $43,600 for housing assistance and $43,600 for other291needs assistance.\13\292---------------------------------------------------------------------------293    \11\ FEMA, Individuals and Households Program, (last updated June2944, 2025), available at https://www.fema.gov/assistance/individual.295    \12\ FEMA, Assistance for Housing and Other Needs, (last updated296June 18, 2025), available at https://www.fema.gov/assistance/297individual/housing.298    \13\ Notice of Maximum Amount of Assistance Under the Individuals299and Household Program, 89 Fed. Reg. 84923 (Oct. 1, 2024).300---------------------------------------------------------------------------301    Section 404 of the Stafford Act authorizes HMGP, which302provides grants based on a percentage of PA funding to state,303tribal, and territorial governments to fund mitigation projects304that: (1) are cost effective and (2) reduce the risk of future305damage, hardship, and loss from natural hazards.\14\ The306purpose of this grant program is to fund practical mitigation307measures that effectively reduce the risk of loss of life and308property from future disasters. State, tribal, and territorial309governments may use their HMGP funds to assist families in310reducing the risk to their homes from natural disasters. The311Federal cost share for HMGP is 75 percent and the remaining 25312percent can come from a variety of sources (i.e. a cash payment313from the state or local government).\15\ HMGP has not been314approved on the most recent 18 declared major disasters.315---------------------------------------------------------------------------316    \14\ FEMA, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), (May 22, 2025),317available at https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation.318    \15\ Id.319---------------------------------------------------------------------------320    Stafford Act programs are funded by the Disaster Relief321Fund (DRF), which is a no-year appropriation against which FEMA322can direct, coordinate, manage, and fund eligible response and323recovery efforts associated with domestic major disasters and324emergencies that overwhelm state resources.\16\ Through the325DRF, FEMA can fund authorized Federal disaster support326activities, as well as eligible state, territorial, tribal, and327local actions such as providing emergency protection and debris328removal.\17\ The DRF also funds the repair and restoration of329qualifying disaster-damaged public infrastructure, hazard330mitigation initiatives, financial assistance to eligible331disaster survivors, and FMAGs for qualifying large forest or332grassland wildfires.\18\333---------------------------------------------------------------------------334    \16\ FEMA, Disaster Relief Fund: Monthly Reports, (June 30, 2025),335available at https:// https://www.fema.gov/about/reports-and-data/336disaster-relief-fund-monthly-reports.337    \17\ FEMA, Fact Sheet: FEMA's Public Assistance Process, (June 7,3382018), available at https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20210318/fact-339sheet-femas-public-assistance-process.340    \18\ FEMA, Disaster Relief Fund: Monthly Reports, (August 29,3412023), available at https://www.fema.gov/about/reports-and-data/342disaster-relief-fund-monthly-reports.343---------------------------------------------------------------------------344345                III. FEMA'S RESPONSE TO RECENT DISASTERS346347HURRICANES HELENE AND MILTON348349    In 2024, FEMA provided assistance for 120 Presidentially350declared emergencies and major disasters including: five351hurricanes that made landfall, multiple unnamed severe storms,352western wildfires, and an active tornado season that impacted353many states across the country.\19\ However, the most354significant disaster of 2024 was Hurricane Helene, which made355landfall near Perry, Florida on September 26, 2024, as a356Category 4 hurricane.\20\ As Helene traveled across the357Appalachian Region, it resulted in catastrophic flooding,358landslides, and tornadoes. Six states (Florida, Georgia,359Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina)360received a major disaster declaration associated with361Helene.\21\ Alabama received an emergency declaration.\22\ The362destruction of Hurricane Helene resulted in 219 storm-related363deaths,\23\ including 106 in North Carolina alone.\24\ That364makes it the deadliest storm to hit the mainland United States365since Hurricane Katrina.\25\366---------------------------------------------------------------------------367    \19\ FEMA, Declared Disasters, available at https://www.fema.gov/368disaster/declarations.369    \20\ Kate Payne, Hurricane Helene Kills At Least 44 and Cuts A370Swath of Destruction Across the Southeast, AP News (Sept. 27, 2024),371available at https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-helene-florida-372georgia-carolina-e5769b56dea81e40fae2161ad1b4e75d.373    \21\ FEMA, Hurricane Helene, available at https://www.fema.gov/374disaster/current/hurricane-helene.375    \22\ Id.376    \23\ NOAA Nat'l Centers for Environmental Info., U.S. Billion-377Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters, available at https://378www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/billions/events.379    \24\ North Carolina Dep't of Health & Human Serv., Hurricane Helene380Storm Related Fatalities, available at https://www.ncdhhs.gov/381assistance/hurricane-helene-recovery-resources/hurricane-helene-storm-382related-fatalities.383    \25\ Ana Faguy & Brandon Drenon, Helene is deadliest mainland US384hurricane since Katrina, BBC (Oct. 3, 2024), available at https://385www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1k70rnrp4xo.386---------------------------------------------------------------------------387    Just two weeks later, Hurricane Milton formed in the Gulf388of Mexico and rapidly intensified to a Category 5389hurricane.\26\ By the time Milton made landfall near Siesta Key390on October 9, 2024, the storm had weakened to a Category 3391hurricane, but it brought a front of deadly tornadoes and storm392surges to Florida.\27\ This was the third hurricane in 13393months to impact Florida's Big Bend region.\28\394---------------------------------------------------------------------------395    \26\ Brad Brooks and Leonora LaPeter Anton, Hurricane Milton Leaves396At Least 10 Dead, Millions Without Power in Florida, Reuters (Oct. 10,3972024), available at https://www.reuters.com/world/us/hurricane-milton-398weakens-it-marches-across-central-florida-homes-destroyed-2024-10-10/.399    \27\ Id.400    \28\ Chelsea Harvey, Third hurricane in 13 months slams Florida's401Big Bend, E&E News by Politico (Sept. 27, 2024), available at https://402www.eenews.net/articles/third-hurricane-in-13-months-slams-floridas-403big-bend/.404---------------------------------------------------------------------------405    According to the most recent Disaster Relief Fund Report406provided to Congress, FEMA has obligated $10.1 billion for407Hurricane Helene and $3 billion for Hurricane Milton.\29\ While4082020 still holds the all-time record for Presidentially409declared emergencies, major disasters, and disaster410declarations related to COVID-19, at 230,\30\ the size and411severity of Stafford Act declarations in 2024 has drawn412Congressional attention to FEMA's resource constraints and413response challenges.\31\414---------------------------------------------------------------------------415    \29\ FEMA, June 2025 Disaster Relief Fund Report (June 24, 2025),416available at https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/417fema_ocfo_june-2025-disaster-relief-fund-report_06302025.pdf.418    \30\ Adam B. Smith, 2023: A Historic Year of U.S. Billion-Dollar419Weather and Climate Disasters, NOAA, (Jan. 8, 2024), available at420https://www.climate.gov/news-features/blogs/beyond-data/2023-historic-421year-us-billion-dollar-weather-and-climate-disasters.422    \31\ Letter from Sam Graves, Chairman, H. Comm. on Transp. &423Infrastructure to Deanne Criswell, Administrator, FEMA (Oct. 11, 2024)424(On file with Comm.).425---------------------------------------------------------------------------426427LOS ANGELES WILDFIRES428429    Starting on January 7, 2025, a series of 12 wildfires,430including the Palisades and Eaton fires, burned more than43140,000 acres across the greater Los Angeles area.\32\ The432wildfires burned for several weeks and were 100 percent433contained on January 31, 2025.\33\ Twenty-nine people died as a434result of the wildfires, and more than 18,000 structures were435destroyed.\34\436---------------------------------------------------------------------------437    \32\ CAL Fire, 2025 Incident Archive, available at https://438www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025.439    \33\ Id.440    \34\ Minyvonne Burke & Liz Kreutz, What we know about the victims441killed in the California wildfires, NBC News (Feb. 12, 2025), available442at https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/california-wildfires-what-we-443know-victims-killed-rcna188240.444---------------------------------------------------------------------------445    According to the June Disaster Relief Fund Report to446Congress, FEMA has obligated $2.7 billion for the Los Angeles447wildfires.\35\ The scale of devastation has prompted renewed448scrutiny of California's wildfire preparedness and resource449management. Public concern intensified after reports revealed450that firefighting efforts during the Palisades fire were451hampered by water shortages, raising questions about emergency452coordination and the adequacy of mitigation planning in high-453risk areas.\36\454---------------------------------------------------------------------------455    \35\ FEMA, June 2025 Disaster Relief Fund Report (June 24, 2025),456available at https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/457fema_ocfo_june-2025-disaster-relief-fund-report_06302025.pdf.458    \36\ Karla Rendo, More Pacific Palisades residents join lawsuit459against LADWP, city over water supply failure, News4 Los Angeles (Mar.4608, 2025), available at https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/california-461wildfires/more-pacific-palisades-residents-join-lawsuit-against-ladwp-462city-over-water-supply-failure/3649420/.463---------------------------------------------------------------------------464465TEXAS AND NORTH CAROLINA FLOODS466467    On Sunday, July 6, 2025, President Trump issued a major468disaster declaration for the State of Texas.\37\ From July 4 to469July 7, 2025, heavy rain triggered catastrophic flash floods470across Texas Hill Country. At least 130 fatalities have been471confirmed statewide and more than 100 individuals still472missing.\38\ Camp Mystic, a summer camp on the Guadalupe River,473lost 27 campers and counselors.\39\ The flash floods raise474concerns over inadequate early warning systems, as the affected475counties lack community warning sirens in low-lying areas along476the riverbank.\40\477---------------------------------------------------------------------------478    \37\ FEMA, Texas Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding,479(July 6, 2025), available at https://www. http://fema.gov/disaster/4804879.481    \38\ Kevin Shalvey, Texas flooding updates: Death toll reaches 134,482search continues for missing, ABC News (July 15, 2025), available at483https://abcnews.go.com/US/live-updates/texas-flooding-live-updates/484?id=123729682.485    \39\ Sergio Flores and Evan Garcia, Hopes fade for missing Texas486flood victims as death toll hovers around 100, Reuters (July 8, 2025),487available at https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/488search-teams-scour-texas-flood-zone-dozens-missing-78-confirmed-dead-4892025-07-07.490    \40\ Supra note 38.491---------------------------------------------------------------------------492    At the same time, Tropical Depression Chantal brought493prolonged heavy rainfall to eastern North Carolina,494particularly impacting Craven, Pamlico, and Beaufort counties.495Many areas received over 10 inches of rain in three days,496overwhelming small rivers and drainage systems in communities497previously impacted by Hurricane Helene.\41\ Tens of thousands498of people were left without power.499---------------------------------------------------------------------------500    \41\ Eduardo Medina and Livia Albeck-Ripka, `Severe Flooding in501North Carolina After Chantal Dumps Heavy Rain', New York Times (July 7,5022025), available at https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/07/weather/503tropical-storm-chantal-floods-north-carolina.html.504---------------------------------------------------------------------------505506                         IV. REFORM LEGISLATION507508FIXING EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FOR AMERICANS (FEMA) ACT OF 2025509510    On May 8, 2025, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee511Chairman Graves and Ranking Member Larsen released a discussion512draft of the Fixing Emergency Management for Americans (FEMA)513Act of 2025. This bipartisan legislation proposes comprehensive514reforms to FEMA to improve the Nation's preparedness and515response capabilities, accelerate disaster recovery, reduce516overall disaster cost, and provide more effective support to517individuals and communities impacted by disasters.518    The FEMA Act of 2025 would realign the Federal emergency519management structure by elevating FEMA to a cabinet-level,520independent agency reporting directly to the President. It521reforms the delivery of disaster assistance to promote faster,522state-led rebuilding of public infrastructure, streamlines523support for disaster survivors by clarifying policies and524communication, cuts unnecessary bureaucracy and outdated525regulations, and enhances the speed and investment of526mitigation investments. This legislation also increases527transparency and accountability in how disaster funds are528allocated and used, ensuring a more efficient, resilient, and529cost-effective Federal response.530531                             V. CONCLUSION532533    The hearing will focus on evaluating how FEMA can become534more agile and effective in responding to disasters and examine535the Nation's current state of disaster readiness, response, and536recovery under FEMA's leadership and guidance. The Committee537will explore strategies to modernize FEMA's operations and538improve coordination with state, local, tribal, and territorial539partners. A key focus will be improving the speed of Federal540aid, proactive hazard mitigation, and forward-looking, risk-541informed planning. Oversight and accountability measures, as542well as the long-term sustainability of the Disaster Relief543Fund, will be central to discussions about how FEMA can adapt544to meet the demands of a changing emergency management545landscape.546547                              VI. WITNESS548549     LMr. David Richardson, Senior Official Performing550the Duties of FEMA Administrator, Federal Emergency Management551Agency, United States Department of Homeland Security552553FIXING EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: EXAMINING IMPROVEMENTS TO FEMA'S DISASTER554                                RESPONSE555556                              ----------557558                        WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2025559560                  House of Representatives,561      Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public562               Buildings, and Emergency Management,563            Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,564                                                    Washington, DC.565    The subcommittee met, pursuant to call, at 10:03 a.m. in566Room 2167, Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Scott Perry567(Chairman of the subcommittee) presiding.568    Mr. Perry. The Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public569Buildings, and Emergency Management will come to order.570    The Chair asks unanimous consent that the Chair be571authorized to declare a recess at any time during today's572hearing.573    Without objection, so ordered.574    The Chair also asks unanimous consent that Members not on575the subcommittee be permitted to sit with the subcommittee at576today's hearing and ask questions.577    Without objection, so ordered.578    As a reminder, if Members wish to insert a document into579the record, please also email it to DocumentsTI@mail.house.gov.580    With that in mind, the Chair asks unanimous consent to581enter into the record letters from NAMIC and the Western582Governors' Association.583    Without objection, so ordered.584    [The information follows Mr. Perry's prepared statement.]585    Mr. Perry. The Chair now recognizes himself for the586purposes of an opening statement for 5 minutes.587588    OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. SCOTT PERRY OF PENNSYLVANIA,589    CHAIRMAN, SUBCOMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PUBLIC590              BUILDINGS, AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT591592    Mr. Perry. I begin by thanking our witness, Mr. Richardson,593for being here today to discuss fixing the emergency management594system and improving the Federal Emergency Management Agency's,595or FEMA's, disaster response.596    Earlier this month, devastating flash floods hit Texas,597causing a death toll of more than 130 people, including598children from a summer camp. The Coast Guard, FEMA, and other599Federal agencies assisted Texas in the search, rescue, and600response. President Trump issued a major disaster declaration,601opening further Federal assistance for disaster victims and to602assist in the recovery. My condolences and prayers go to the603people who have lost loved ones, and to all affected by this604disaster. It is unimaginable to those of us who have stood by605and watched it.606    So far in 2025, there have been 20 disasters resulting in607major disaster declarations across 10 States. This does not608account for emergency declarations and all the open disasters609still on the books going all the way back to Hurricane Katrina610in 2005.611    I have said this before: I question the increasing role of612the Federal Government in disasters, but when the Federal613Government responds, it helps no one if assistance is slow,614bureaucratic, and cumbersome.615    States should be the lead in preparing for, mitigating616against, and responding to disasters. When the Federal617Government does provide assistance, it should be fast, agile,618and targeted in a way that's most effective.619    What I believe we can all agree on is this: 20 years from620now, in 2045, we do not want to see congressional hearings621asking why disasters that happened in 2025 are still open. The622longer it takes for communities to rebuild, no matter who is623paying, the higher the costs and the more vulnerable those624communities are to additional harm from other hazards.625    Over the years, Congress has passed reform after reform626trying to fix FEMA and get Federal disaster response to work627effectively. Quite honestly, little seems to work or have been628effective. Congress passes something intended to fix disaster629response, but bureaucrats continue to complicate the law with630added regulations. This makes the implementation and process631more confusing. At times, it seems the process actually gets632worse, not better.633    The process becomes even more unclear when you add in the634numerous Federal agencies that are now involved in disasters.635The whole point of FEMA was to carry out the President's636authority in disasters and manage the entire Federal Government637response. However, we seem to have gotten away from that, and638we have many agencies, often with conflicting requirements and639rules involved, slowing the process even more.640    Today, I hope we can touch on not just what happened in641Texas and other recent disasters, but how we can work together642effectively to fix our emergency management system. Our643constituents, American people, are depending on it; it is our644duty. How do we make it work better for the communities hit by645the disasters, and how do we also respect the taxpayer?646    I appreciate the leadership of the full committee chairman,647Sam Graves, and the ranking member, Mr. Larsen, for their work648in trying to tackle these issues with their legislation, and we649look forward to seeing that very shortly.650    With that, I look forward to hearing from our witness.651    [Mr. Perry's prepared statement follows:]652653 Prepared Statement of Hon. Scott Perry, a Representative in Congress654 from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and Chairman, Subcommittee on655    Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management656    I want to thank our witness, Mr. Richardson, for being here today657to discuss fixing emergency management and improving the Federal658Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) disaster response.659    Earlier this month, devastating flash floods hit Texas causing a660death toll of more than 130 people, including children from a summer661camp.662    The Coast Guard, FEMA, and other federal agencies assisted Texas in663the search, rescue, and response. President Trump issued a major664disaster declaration, opening further federal assistance for disaster665victims and to assist in the recovery. My condolences and prayers go to666the people who have lost loved ones, and to all affected by this667disaster. It is unimaginable to those of us who have watched it.668    So far in 2025, there have been 20 disasters resulting in major669disaster declarations across 10 states. This does not account for670emergency declarations and all the open disasters still on the books,671going all the way back to Hurricane Katrina in 2005.672    I have said this before: I question the increasing role of the673federal government in disasters, but when the federal government674responds, it helps no one if assistance is slow, bureaucratic, and675cumbersome.676    States should be the lead in preparing for, mitigating against, and677responding to disasters. When the federal government does provide678assistance, it should be fast, agile, and targeted in a way that's most679effective.680    What I believe we can all agree on is this--20 years from now, in6812045, we do not want to see congressional hearings asking why disasters682that happened in 2025 are still open. The longer it takes for683communities to rebuild, no matter who's paying, the higher the costs684and the more vulnerable those communities are to additional harm from685other hazards.686    Over the years, Congress has passed reform after reform trying to687fix FEMA and get federal disaster response to work effectively. Quite688honestly, little seems to work. Congress passes something intended to689fix disaster response, but bureaucrats continue to complicate the law690with added regulations. This makes the implementation and process more691confusing. At times, it seems the process actually gets worse, not692better.693    The process becomes even more unclear when you add in the numerous694federal agencies that are now involved in disasters. The whole point of695FEMA was to carry out the President's authority in disasters and manage696the entire federal government response.697    However, we seem to have gotten away from that, and we have many698agencies, often with conflicting requirements and rules involved,699slowing the process even more.700    Today, I hope we can touch on not just what happened in Texas and701other recent disasters, but how we can work together effectively to fix702our emergency management system. Our constituents and the American703people are depending on it; it is our duty. How do we make it work704better for the communities hit by disasters and the taxpayer?705    I appreciate the leadership of the Full Committee Chairman, Sam706Graves, and Ranking Member Larsen for their work in trying to tackle707these issues with their legislation, and we look forward to seeing that708very shortly.709710 Statement of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies,711              Submitted for the Record by Hon. Scott Perry712                              Introduction713    The National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC) is714pleased to provide comments regarding the U.S. House Subcommittee on715Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Development716hearing on ``Fixing Emergency Management: Examining Improvements to717FEMA's Disaster Response.''718    NAMIC consists of more than 1,300 member companies, including six719of the top 10 property/casualty insurers in the United States. The720association supports local and regional mutual insurance companies on721main streets across America as well as many of the country's largest722national insurers.723    NAMIC member companies write $383 billion in annual premiums and724represent 61 percent of homeowners, 48 percent of automobile, and 25725percent of the business insurance markets. Through its advocacy726programs NAMIC promotes public policy solutions that benefit member727companies and the policyholders they serve.\1\ NAMIC members take great728pride in being indispensable partners helping rebuild policyholders'729communities and lives when they need it most: when they have suffered a730loss. We stand ready to partner with policymakers at all levels to731reimagine and improve the way America prepares for and invests in732emergency management and response.733---------------------------------------------------------------------------734    \1\ https://www.namic.org/about-namic/735---------------------------------------------------------------------------736Generational Opportunity to Transform Emergency Management and Instill737                               Resiliency738    While there is general agreement that the Federal Emergency739Management Agency of today is not structured to best serve the American740people, there is little consensus on the agency's optimal scope or741operations. FEMA's past successes and failures should inform rather742than define the future of the agency. As policymakers evaluate bold743ideas for fundamental reform, practical implementation mechanisms for744government officials as well as potential partnerships with the private745and non-profit sectors should be thought of as key components in the746equation. The federal government sits in a unique position to747facilitate coordination between all interested stakeholders, even as748primary responsibility and decision-making is appropriately returned to749state and local governments. A future federal emergency management750agency can also play the most important role of all as a trusted and751truthful communicator and champion of both pre-disaster mitigation and752post-disaster recovery.753    As Congress works with stakeholders and the administration and754considers how it may re-think ways that disasters are anticipated and755responded to, NAMIC urges the thoughtful and measured consideration of756several vital components to any future structure:757                        Stability and Expertise758    To stand the test of time and engender positive change for759generations to come, Congress should structure any federal entity760tasked with emergency planning and response in a way that stakeholders761can rely on for expertise and consistency of treatment. The762organization should be structured to maximize steady, reliable, and763knowledgeable behavior, focusing on consistent competence without764political or partisan interpretations or priorities. Leadership and765staff should be expected to bolster capacity and act in a manner that766best serves affected communities by supporting rather than767commandeering or displacing state and local actors.768                    Transparency and Accountability769    Whether agency leadership reports directly to the President or770through another agency, it is imperative that strong and transparent771mechanisms are in place to ensure continued commitment to the core772mission of serving Americans who have suffered through a declared773emergency. Clear communication and education about the chain-of-command774and decision-making processes will serve all Americans best. Disaster775victims and those that work to help them are most effective when they776not only understand processes, but also have understandable ways to777provide and receive additional information as needed. For example,778consider a FEMA assistance claim denial--a thorough explanation and779documented rationale with ample details would be helpful in aiding the780victim's subsequent decision-making.781    Congressional and Executive oversight of day-to-day operations will782also be important. Studies and analysis to inform the efficacy of a new783structure and mission for FEMA should be data driven and assess whether784the agency is delivering positive results for taxpayers rather than785comparing the government to private industry efforts.786                 Uniformity and Streamlining--Internal787    Incorporating ways to streamline disaster response with processes788that ensure greater consistency in paperwork for victims and entities789aiding them should reduce frustration and confusion, as well as790expedite recovery. For example, there would be benefits to publishing791upfront what specific information should be provided to administer792individual assistance and to process such applications. Today,793different FEMA regions sometimes seek different information from794individuals and their insurers before processing individual assistance795requests; these current practices do not make for a seamless or796positive experience for individuals post-catastrophe. The last thing a797disaster victim should hear in the wake of their tragedy is that they798need a different form to prove a necessary declination from their799insurer. Through standardization and straightforward uniformity, a800simple upfront established set of expectations (and perhaps a template)801may help with getting necessary aid out the door quickly when disaster802victims are most in need. Post-disaster claims operations move most803swiftly when there can be a level of anticipated consistency.804                Speed and Streamlining--Across Agencies805    At this time, there are at least seventeen departments and agencies806responsible for some element of federal disaster assistance. As807Congress moves forward, consolidation and clarifying these components808to improve the efficiency and information sharing across efforts would809be a worthwhile enhancement. This process review and reimagining should810also take into account the most efficient way of communicating with811leaders and decision-makers in state and local governments to eliminate812the possibility of confusion or inconsistent messages from the federal813government.814       Coordination and Streamlining--Across Types of Government815    As Congress contemplates a future with greater empowerment of state816and local governments to manage emergencies occurring in their area, it817becomes more important than ever that chains of command,818responsibilities, and workflow sequences are clear, consistent, and819communicated so they can be executed promptly when needed. Requiring820specific, written, operational plans and facilitating communication821between points of contact across federal, state, and local agencies822would be well advised.823     Meaningful Front-End Mitigation--Building Codes to Reduce Risk824    A re-imagined federal emergency response system will be a failure825if it does not embrace science-based lessons to incorporate modern826approaches for stronger and safer building that reduces risk going827forward. Such a commitment to prioritize efficiency through front-end828investment to avoid back-end recovery is not only financially prudent829but will also prevent struggles for millions of Americans who would830suffer under our current paradigm. A prime mechanism for this is the831implementation and enforcement of up-to-date statewide building codes,832both at initial construction and during post-disaster rebuilding to833avoid repeat losses. Modernized building codes are a cost-effective way834to protect individuals, families, and communities from risks posed by835natural hazards.836    As Congress considers how to interrupt cascading negative impacts837of disasters on a community, it should leverage and integrate the838advantages of upfront investing, with studies showing $1 spent on839mitigation measures can save anywhere from $6 to $13 in future losses.840The 2024 Allstate-U.S. Chamber report on the community benefits of841investing in resilience includes the estimated value of saving jobs and842mitigating economic harms, including in the context of potential843wildfires.\2\ Further, the National Institute of Building Sciences844offers evidence of a strong estimated return on investment by845mitigation measures, including building codes.\3\ Their extensive846report puts more resilient construction costs into context through847benefit-cost ratios. Because of the value of modifying the buildings to848save money over the long term, NAMIC urges that this be a deliberate849and major initiative that includes a set-aside for grants as well as850for adoption and enforcement of the most up-to-date and strongest851building codes fit for a location. This kind of investment not only852shows accountability to taxpayers but also serves as strong stewards853for both fiscal and preparedness responsibilities.854---------------------------------------------------------------------------855    \2\ https://www.uschamber.com/security/the-preparedness-payoff-the-856economic-benefits-of-investing-in-climate-resilience857    \3\ https://nibs.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/858NIBS_MMC_MitigationSaves_2019.pdf859---------------------------------------------------------------------------860           Effective Back-End Emergency Response and Recovery861    Major disasters require thousands of employees to find survivors,862set up shelters, process requests for assistance, and distribute863recovery information and funds. Particularly in the event of concurrent864disasters, there is unique value in a federal coordinating facility to865aid in such efforts. Well trained staff, along with efficient processes866that avoid historical problems of waste, fraud, and abuse will greatly867improve many post-disaster challenges. Another helpful area of focus868would be training staff on the notion that the existence of insurance869proceeds alone does not mean additional federal support will constitute870a windfall for a victim. The time someone is repairing or rebuilding871after a severe natural catastrophe could, in some instances, be an872ideal time for a property owner to use federal assistance to873incorporate additional hardening to help better withstand future damage874and scale mitigation faster, avoiding repeat losses.875       Insurers' Longstanding Support for Mitigation & Resilience876    The property/casualty insurance industry, and specifically NAMIC,877has a long history of working to advance such solutions to reduce the878effects of increasingly severe weather, particularly following879Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The industry helped establish and helps fund880cutting-edge research carried out by the Insurance Institute for881Business & Home Safety (IBHS).\4\ NAMIC, a founding member of the882BuildStrong Coalition,\5\ remains instrumental and steadfast in its883policy and advocacy support for resiliency and hardening the built884environment.885---------------------------------------------------------------------------886    \4\ https://ibhs.org/887    \5\ https://buildstrongamerica.com/888---------------------------------------------------------------------------889    In 2018, President Trump signed the Disaster Recovery Reform Act890(DRRA) into law.\6\ The DRRA was a historically significant disaster891reform law containing a host of policies designed to significantly892boost the nation's pre-disaster funding mechanism, which included the893creation of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities894Program (BRIC). While NAMIC recognizes that going forward the895provisions of the DRRA and the structure/administration of the BRIC896program may change, there are certain essential functions that we urge897be included as part of the future as the U.S. plans and executes on a898more resilient tomorrow.899---------------------------------------------------------------------------900    \6\ Sec. 42 USC 5124 et seq. (Division D--Disaster Recovery901Reform--within Public Law 115-254) https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-902congress/house-bill/302/text?q=%7B%22search%22%3A903%5B%22HR+302%22%5D%7D&r=1904---------------------------------------------------------------------------905    NAMIC supports government efforts to consistently make pre-disaster906funds available for projects that protect people and infrastructure907from natural hazards and the effects of extreme weather events that908ultimately reduce risk and help avoid losses of lives and property.909Indeed, in any government review of disaster aid expenditures, NAMIC910encourages agencies and stakeholders to: prioritize preparedness, build911and rebuild more resiliently, put an emphasis on commonsense and cost-912effective practices, such as individual and community-wide pre-disaster913mitigation measures, encourage up-to-date building codes; and bolster914retrofit programs to improve the existing housing stock.915         The New Era of Risk is not Coming--It is Already Here916    As we recently advised the Senate Banking, Housing, & Urban Affairs917and Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committees, in918recent years, property/casualty insurers have found themselves facing919an unprecedented confluence of circumstances that has created a more920complex and riskier and costlier world for them and their921policyholders.\7\ More frequent and severe disasters and more Americans922choosing to move into flood or fire-prone counties are combining with923other forces and pressures far beyond the control of the insurance924industry, as interconnected risks continue expanding on more fronts925than ever before.926---------------------------------------------------------------------------927    \7\ https://www.namic.org/resource/the-future-of-insurance-seeking-928solutions-in-a-new-era-of-risk929---------------------------------------------------------------------------930    The presence of more billion-dollar weather disasters is not a931matter of politics or opinion, but a matter of math--while the 1980 to9322024 annual average of such storms is 9.0, over the most recent 5 years933it has skyrocketed to 23 (CPI-adjusted). In 2023 and 2024, the U.S.934experienced 28 and 27 such disasters, respectively, each of which has935far reaching economic effects that extend well beyond the immediate936area where the storm hit. Earlier this year, the Eaton and Palisades937fires devastated communities across southern California, and recent938weeks have seen severe hailstorms and related flooding across the939Midwest and Southeastern United States, including areas still940recovering from last year's Hurricane Helene. In all those instances,941insurers continue to play the critical role of trusted financial first942responders, working closely with FEMA, state emergency managers, state943Departments of Insurance and other relevant officials to help customers944begin rebuilding their homes and lives.945    Just as the disasters' presence is a matter of fact, so is the946value and benefit-cost ratio of mitigation across flood, hurricane947surge, wind, earthquake, and wildfire. Put simply, smart investment on948the front-end means avoiding damage and reduces the need for spending949down the road.950                               * * * * *951                               Conclusion952    Among his many accomplishments, Benjamin Franklin was involved in953founding the first insurance company in the U.S., a mutual. One of his954famous quotes captures the spirit of mitigation that we hope will guide955a re-imagined federal emergency management entity: ``an ounce of956prevention is worth a pound of cure.'' In his time Franklin was957referring to preventing and reducing the impact of house fires in958colonial-era Philadelphia. While he did not have the current959understanding of building science, his words reflect wisdom today.960    A fundamental shift in vision and tone is needed to rebuild trust961in the federal government's emergency management capabilities. This962should include a comprehensive message around instilling resiliency,963streamlining responses, speedier recovery, and stronger rebuilding.964NAMIC encourages Congress to take this opportunity to meaningfully bend965our nation's risk curve by prioritizing mitigation at scale in charting966the direction for America's built environment, considering both new and967existing structures and their locations/surroundings. Fewer homes968destroyed by catastrophes means more stability for families,969communities, and markets. We look forward to partnering with all970interested stakeholders in these efforts.971972Letter and Attachment of July 22, 2025, to Hon. Scott Perry, Chairman,973    and Hon. Greg Stanton, Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Economic974  Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, from Jack975Waldorf, Executive Director, Western Governors' Association, Submitted976                   for the Record by Hon. Scott Perry977                                                     July 22, 2025.978The Honorable Scott Perry,979Chairman,980Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency981        Management, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,982        House of Representatives, 2165 Rayburn House Office Building,983        Washington, DC 20515.984The Honorable Greg Stanton,985Ranking Member,986Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency987        Management, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,988        House of Representatives, 2165 Rayburn House Office Building,989        Washington, DC 20515.990    Dear Chairman Perry and Ranking Member Stanton:991    In light of the Subcommittee's July 23, 2025, hearing, Fixing992Emergency Management: Examining Improvements to FEMA's Disaster993Response, attached please find Western Governors' Association (WGA)994Policy Resolution 2024-05, Disaster Preparedness and Response. The995resolution communicates Governors' policy recommendations for improving996the efficacy of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster997assistance to save taxpayer money and expedite response and recovery998efforts.999    I request that you include this document in the permanent record of1000the hearing, as it articulates Western Governors' collective and1001bipartisan policy on this important issue.1002    Thank you for your consideration of this request. Please contact me1003if you have any questions or require further information.1004            Sincerely,1005                                              Jack Waldorf,1006                Executive Director, Western Governors' Association.10071008Attachment1009                               __________10101011                                                         Attachment1012                     Western Governors' Association1013                       Policy Resolution 2024-051014                   Disaster Preparedness and Response1015A. BACKGROUND1016    Major disasters, emergencies and extreme weather events are1017devastating to the people, property, economy, and natural environment1018of the communities in which they occur. The outcomes of disasters and1019emergencies can often be far reaching, and the public costs of1020disasters and emergencies have increased significantly in recent years.1021Governors hold the sole authority to request federal assistance when a1022disaster overwhelms state and local capabilities, and the federal1023government plays a critical role in pre-disaster risk mitigation,1024disaster response, and long-term disaster recovery. The first1025category--proactive risk reduction activities--has a very high return1026on investment, especially in the context of modern, climate-influenced1027disasters such as wildfire, extreme heat, or atmospheric rivers. The1028latter two categories, disaster response and recovery, tend to create a1029significant financial burden on individuals and communities, and this1030burden may be disproportionately borne by people who are facing pre-1031existing financial challenges. Effective disaster response and recovery1032is essential not only to mitigate current disasters, but also prevent1033additional `cascading disasters' in the aftermath of the initial event.1034The COVID-19 pandemic reinforced the need for close coordination1035between federal, state, territorial, local and tribal governments in1036emergency management. Interagency coordination can serve to streamline1037the provision of disaster assistance, which in turn can help to reduce1038barriers to access and improve post-disaster outcomes.1039B. GOVERNORS' POLICY STATEMENT1040    1.  Governors need maximum flexibility to respond to disaster and1041emergency circumstances that may evolve quickly over the course of a1042disaster through the initiation of recovery. Therefore, Congress and1043federal agencies should expeditiously remove any barriers limiting a1044Governor and their executive branch agencies' ability to save taxpayer1045money and expedite response and recovery efforts while safeguarding1046lives, property, and the environment. Western Governors recognize that1047planning processes and disaster and emergency protocols are important1048aspects of emergency management, but Governors also need significant1049freedom to adapt those plans to changing circumstances during the1050evolution of a disaster or emergency.10511052    2.  Federal, state, territorial and tribal efforts to prepare for,1053mitigate against, respond to, and recover from emergencies and1054disasters must ensure programs and response efforts are inclusive,1055equitable, accessible, and representative of the affected communities.1056Development of federal disaster programs, policies, and procedures1057should be mindful of underserved and underrepresented communities while1058also addressing all survivors' post-disaster needs.10591060    3.  Western Governors encourage Congress and federal agencies to1061reassess the structure and administrative mechanisms of disaster1062mitigation grant programs to establish the most effective means of1063determining the necessity and delivery of federal disaster assistance.1064This should involve eliminating duplicative processes and establishing1065consistent standards for federal grant programs, including the Hazard1066Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), the State Homeland Security Program,1067the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Program, and the1068Emergency Management Performance Grant Program (EMPG).10691070    4.  When managing disaster declarations, state and local1071governments coordinate billions of dollars in federal grants through1072the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). To help offset1073administrative requirements of these grants, FEMA regulations allow1074recipients to utilize a percentage for management costs. These1075management costs, however, are limited to each specific disaster and1076regulations do not allow grantees to economize by managing workloads1077across all open disasters. Western Governors urge Congress to direct1078FEMA to allow grantees to utilize management costs across all open1079disasters, which will build recovery and mitigation capacity,1080incentivize disaster close-out, and reduce the costs of disasters.10811082    5.  Federal agencies conducting disaster recovery and assistance,1083as well as the programs which they administer, should receive adequate1084and consistent funding and allow Western Governors and their designated1085executive branch agencies to have critical input on where those funds1086are needed most. The lack of speed, certainty, and consistency in1087deployment of federal disaster funding is a hindrance to coordinated1088recovery efforts and effective utilization of public funds.10891090    6.  EMPG funds are the primary funding source for local emergency1091managers, and funding for this program has ostensibly decreased due to1092inflation. Congress should increase EMPG funding to expand state and1093territorial capacity to provide technical assistance and expedite1094reimbursement for FEMA public assistance applicants.10951096    7.  Stafford Act declarations generally respond to rapid-onset1097catastrophes that cause severe damage in a particular area over a1098defined incident period. Damage from slow-onset, compound, or cascading1099disasters is difficult to quantify, and assistance for these disasters1100has historically been limited. Congress should amend the Stafford Act1101to support disaster response, recovery, and mitigation associated with1102slow-onset, compound, or cascading disasters. Specifically, Congress1103should amend the major disaster declaration definition to include slow-1104onset or other comparable terms, establish a new type of declaration1105and corresponding disaster assistance authorities for slow-onset and1106ongoing incidents, and require FEMA to develop a means to assign damage1107that is not limited to a discrete incident or incident period.1108Additionally, Congress should require FEMA to modify or extend the1109incident period under certain conditions.11101111    8.  FEMA requires that requests for major disaster declarations be1112submitted within 30 days of the incident end date. This requirement1113establishes an arbitrary timeline that does not reflect the reality of1114cascading disasters. In cases such as wildfire, drought, winter storms,1115or atmospheric rivers, damage can continue to accumulate and compound1116well after the 30-day window has passed, preventing accurate damage1117assessments and timely requests for a disaster declaration. FEMA should1118extend the application period for a disaster declaration to 60 days and1119permit extensions up to 90 days, if warranted. FEMA should provide a1120determination on the declaration request within 60 days from the1121request's submission. Doing so would accelerate the deployment of all1122federal disaster assistance while minimizing uncertainty for states,1123territories, and disaster survivors.11241125    9.  FEMA should provide additional resources to support its1126regional offices' capacity and coordination with states and1127territories. Each regional office must develop an understanding of1128local resource concerns and other local factors to help ensure timely,1129high quality damage assessments and closeout packages that properly1130compensate communities for some of their most significant losses.11311132    10.  Many rural western communities have less concentrated1133populations than eastern states, making it difficult for western states1134and territories to qualify for Individual Assistance, Public1135Assistance, and Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) declarations.1136Additionally, certain criteria, such as considering Total Taxable1137Revenue of the entire state when evaluating whether to provide a major1138declaration for a localized event, makes it virtually impossible for1139large states to receive a declaration. Federal processes used to1140evaluate the need for access to disaster aid programs should be1141reconsidered. Federal agencies should reexamine the standards used to1142determine the provision of Individual Assistance to homeowners and the1143access to federal aid needed for recovery from disasters and1144emergencies that affect western states and territories. The1145historically underfunded U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural1146Resources Conservation Service's Emergency Watershed Protection Program1147should be revisited and strengthened.11481149    11.  Western Governors recognize that as the first responders to a1150disaster or emergency, states, territories, local governments, and1151tribes have better information about local conditions and needs in the1152response and immediate recovery phases of a disaster or emergency. FEMA1153and other applicable federal agencies should work directly with1154individual states and territories through Governors or their designees1155to jointly identify disaster risks and methods by which such risks may1156be addressed.11571158    12.  Federal agencies should provide state, territorial, local, and1159tribal government officials with accessible and clear information on1160available federal resources and programs and the most effective1161utilization of those resources in disaster recovery. WGA has worked1162with federal partners to improve interagency coordination on post-1163wildfire restoration work, including a roadmap of assistance available1164to communities affected by wildfire and identification of1165``navigators'' to help communities prioritize post-wildfire restoration1166needs. Western Governors urge the federal government to prioritize the1167funding of community navigator efforts for All-Hazards events and other1168post-disaster restoration needs.11691170    13.  Following a Stafford Act major disaster declaration, FEMA1171assigns a Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) who is representing the1172federal interagency resources available following a disaster. Once the1173Joint Field Office closes and the disaster management operations1174transition to the regional level, the Regional Administrator is1175responsible for all remaining activities. It is crucial that the FCO1176and the FEMA Regional Administrator have a strong relationship and1177coordinate closely to ensure effective disaster management operations.1178Another critical role for FEMA disaster personnel is the Public1179Assistance Program Delivery Manager (PDMG), who is the primary FEMA1180point of contact for applicants on their disaster projects. PDMGs are1181currently deployed from all areas of the state and may have vastly1182different knowledge on various types of disaster damage. Requiring1183PDMGs to be deployed regionally would improve consistency and subject1184matter knowledge, which would benefit applicants and FEMA alike.11851186    14.  Some western and midwestern states are at risk of catastrophic1187earthquakes, and mitigation assistance beyond that currently1188administered by FEMA is needed. Mitigation funds tied to FMAG1189declarations assist fire-ravaged communities, and the FMAG and Hazard1190Mitigation Post Fire Grant programs should be continued.11911192    15.  Western Governors recognize that community resilience is key1193to ameliorating the effect of many disasters and emergencies, and that1194damages could be avoided or minimized if resources were directed to1195pre-disaster mitigation efforts. Hazard mitigation and risk reduction1196are the most cost-effective ways to protect lives, property,1197infrastructure, and the environment from the effects of natural and1198human-caused hazards. Federal legislation should reconsider the1199important role of pre-disaster mitigation that reduces the risk and1200minimizes the effects of disasters and emergencies. When possible, pre-1201disaster mitigation should be incentivized at the state and local1202levels. Mobilizing and pre-staging disaster response resources is one1203strategy for mitigating the potential damages from an anticipated1204disaster, and FEMA should allow these activities to be eligible under1205HMGP. If the key to minimizing the effect of disasters and emergencies1206is pre-disaster mitigation, then steps need to be taken to reduce or1207minimize the cost share that is associated with many, if not all of1208these grants. Finally, infrastructure planning should include1209consideration of risk reduction measures for known hazards and address1210the dynamic hazard profile created by a changing climate.12111212    16.  Western Governors encourage the Administration to consider1213actions to increase communication and cohesion of federal agencies in1214disaster and emergency response. The Administration should consider1215placing a federal agency in the lead role to coordinate communication1216between and cohesion of federal agencies in disaster and emergency1217response. Strengthening federal emergency management processes to1218promote single, comprehensive points of contact and universal intake1219processes for individuals would streamline state-federal coordination1220and help ensure that individuals are not burdened by federal program1221administrative processes. Federal agencies are encouraged to enter into1222data-sharing agreements. Western Governors support the adoption of a1223universal intake application for disaster assistance across federal1224programs. Western Governors also support the consideration of a1225national emergency management strategy to provide consistent lines of1226communication between federal, state, territorial, local, and tribal1227governments.12281229    17.  Western Governors recognize the need for clear, consistent,1230accurate and timely communication about the scope and scale of1231disasters and emergencies, both between all levels of governments and1232between governments and their constituents. Clearly articulating what1233is known and what is not known about a disaster or emergency is1234critical to developing and executing an effective response from1235governments, promoting public confidence in those response actions, and1236empowering citizens to make informed decisions about their safety and1237welfare.12381239    18.  Extreme weather and wildfires pose significant risks and1240challenges to communities, public health and safety, and livelihoods.1241Additionally, they create potential liability for electric companies,1242regardless of the cause of the wildfire. The threat of significant1243liability can destabilize the financial health of electric companies,1244threatening their ability to continue operations. However, demands for1245additional clean electricity continue to rise. Keeping electric1246companies viable is essential to our energy needs and future economic1247development within our states. Western Governors recognize, that unlike1248other natural disasters, wildfires create pose an exceptional liability1249risk for electric companies, placing them in a position that1250jeopardizes their ability to provide essential power services amid1251hotter and longer fire seasons. Western Governors urge Congress to1252collaborate with regulators, policymakers, and stakeholders to explore1253collaborative approaches to address the potential for large liabilities1254associated with wildfires. These approaches should consider that1255utility companies are not structured to meet the required risk1256diversification, solvency, or other conditions traditionally associated1257with insurance products.12581259    19.  Federal agencies should consider reducing or eliminating cost1260share requirements in instances where those requirements expose states1261to burdensome financial liabilities. For example, Other Needs1262Assistance, a subset of Individual Assistance provided by FEMA, has a126325 percent state cost share. Adding or expanding benefits under the1264umbrella of Other Needs Assistance increases state costs with no1265mechanism to relieve these costs for large-scale disasters.1266C. GOVERNORS' MANAGEMENT DIRECTIVE1267    1.  The Governors direct WGA staff to work with Congressional1268committees of jurisdiction, the Executive Branch, and other entities,1269where appropriate, to achieve the objectives of this resolution.12701271    2.  Furthermore, the Governors direct WGA staff to consult with the1272Staff Advisory Council regarding its efforts to realize the objectives1273of this resolution and to keep the Governors apprised of its progress1274in this regard.12751276This resolution will expire in June 2027. Western Governors enact new1277policy resolutions and amend existing resolutions on a semiannual1278basis. Please consult http://www.westgov.org/resolutions for the most1279current copy of a resolution and a list of all current WGA policy1280resolutions.12811282    Mr. Perry. The Chair now recognizes the ranking member, Mr.1283Stanton, for 5 minutes for his opening statement.1284    Mr. Stanton. Mr. Chairman, before I begin my testimony, I1285ask for unanimous consent that the committee observe a moment1286of silence to honor the 135 lives lost in the Texas floods, and1287to pray for the safe return of those still missing.1288    Mr. Perry. Without objection, so ordered.1289    [A moment of silence.]1290    Mr. Stanton. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. For the sake of time,1291I ask unanimous consent to submit for the record news accounts1292corroborating the details I am about to provide in my opening1293statement.1294    Mr. Perry. Without objection, so ordered.1295    [The information follows Mr. Stanton's prepared statement.]12961297  OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. GREG STANTON OF ARIZONA, RANKING1298MEMBER, SUBCOMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PUBLIC BUILDINGS,1299                    AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT13001301    Mr. Stanton. Mr. Chairman, thank you for holding this1302hearing and focusing our mission to the Federal Emergency1303Management Agency. Every Democrat on this panel accepts that1304challenge, and I hope we can work together in a bipartisan way1305to get this done.1306    The news out of Texas is heartbreaking. On July 4, flash1307floods swept through Kerrville and nearby communities, claiming1308135 lives, including 37 children. We have learned the faces and1309stories of the victims: young girls whose dreams were stolen;1310camp staff who gave their lives leading children to safety; a1311father who punched through the window to save his family before1312bleeding to death from his injuries; and two little sisters1313swept away together, later found holding hands. So many1314grieving neighbors and families on the ground who have been1315working around the clock in response to this disaster. To those1316brave women and men, we see you, we thank you, and we will not1317forget your heroism.1318    Meanwhile, the Acting FEMA Administrator, David Richardson,1319before us today, was missing in action. For the first 48 hours,1320the most critical window for search and rescue, he never1321visited the National Response Coordination Center. For more1322than a week, he stayed away from Texas. And for 10 days, he1323made no statement about this tragedy, not a word of sympathy or1324reassurance to the public. When he appeared finally in Texas on1325July 12, it felt like a box-checking exercise to quiet his1326critics. He stayed only a few hours. But in his rush, Mr.1327Richardson failed to check the most important box: basic human1328decency.1329    This tragedy forces some incredibly hard questions: Did the1330FEMA Administrator fulfill his legal duty? Did he fulfill his1331moral duty? Did the Administrator sitting before us do1332everything that he could to save lives?1333    The FEMA Administrator is the primary Federal coordinator1334for disaster response. That means anticipating needs, acting1335proactively, and moving resources swiftly, even without waiting1336for a specific State request. FEMA's own National Response1337Framework demands proactive search and rescue. These reforms1338were put into place after Hurricane Katrina, when Federal1339failures cost lives. Yet nearly 20 years later, history has1340tragically repeated itself.1341    Secretary Noem required her personal sign-off on every1342contract above $100,000. That bottleneck delayed urban search1343and rescue teams for more than 72 hours. By the time many urban1344search and rescue teams reached Texas, no one had been found1345alive for days. Days.1346    On July 5, less than 24 hours after the tragedy, FEMA's1347call center contract expired because of this $100,000 sign-off1348policy. The result? The vast majority of calls from survivors1349went unanswered. Families desperate for shelter and aid were1350met with silence. Can you imagine losing a family member,1351losing your home, and having your call go unanswered when you1352are looking for a lifeline?1353    Yet, on July 11, with over 100 people still missing and1354search teams still working to find people, President Trump and1355Secretary Noem called it ``the best FEMA response ever,'' all1356while this administration was working to dismantle FEMA, the1357very agency whose workers were still risking their lives to1358save others. According to CNN, FEMA's search and rescue chief1359resigned in frustration over the Texas response. DHS1360bureaucratic hurdles cost his team critical time and, likely,1361lives.1362    This committee has a duty to uncover why FEMA failed to1363meet its obligations and ensure no community ever faces these1364failures again. So, I look forward to questioning Mr.1365Richardson about these stunning breakdowns in leadership and1366how we fix them.1367    Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back.1368    [Mr. Stanton's prepared statement follows:]13691370 Prepared Statement of Hon. Greg Stanton, a Representative in Congress1371from the State of Arizona, and Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Economic1372        Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management1373    Mr. Chairman, thank you for holding this hearing and focusing our1374mission to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Every1375Democrat on this panel accepts that challenge, and I hope we can work1376together in a bipartisan way to get it done.1377    The news out of Texas is heartbreaking. On July 4, flash floods1378swept through Kerrville and nearby communities, claiming 135 lives,1379including 37 children.1380    We have learned the faces and stories of the victims: young girls1381whose dreams were stolen, camp staff who gave their lives leading1382children to safety, a father who punched through a window to save his1383family before bleeding to death from his injuries, and two little1384sisters, swept away together, later found holding hands.1385    So many grieving neighbors and families on the ground have been1386working around the clock in response to this disaster. To those brave1387women and men, we see you, we thank you, and we will not forget your1388heroism.1389    Meanwhile, the acting FEMA Administrator, David Richardson, was1390missing in action. For the first 48 hours . . . the most critical1391window for search and rescue . . . he never visited FEMA's National1392Response Coordination Center. For more than a week, he stayed away from1393Texas. And for ten days, he made no public statement about the tragedy.1394Not even a word of sympathy or reassurance to the public.1395    When he finally appeared in Texas on July 12, it felt like a box-1396checking exercise to quiet his critics. He stayed only a few hours. But1397in his rush, Mr. Richardson failed to check the most important box:1398basic human decency.1399    This tragedy forces a hard question: did the FEMA Administrator1400fulfill his legal duty? Did he fulfill his moral duty? Did the1401Administrator sitting before us do everything he could to save lives?1402    The FEMA Administrator is the primary federal coordinator for1403disaster response. That means anticipating needs, acting proactively,1404and moving resources swiftly, even without waiting for a state request.1405FEMA's own National Response Framework demands proactive search and1406rescue. These reforms were put in place after Hurricane Katrina, when1407federal failures cost lives. Yet nearly 20 years later, history has1408tragically repeated itself.1409    Secretary Noem required her personal sign-off for every contract1410over $100,000. That bottleneck delayed Urban Search and Rescue teams1411for more than 72 hours. By the time many reached Texas, no one had been1412found alive in days. Days!1413    On July 5, less than 24 hours after the tragedy, FEMA's call center1414contract expired because of this $100,000 sign-off policy. The result?1415Seventy percent of calls from survivors went unanswered. Families1416desperate for shelter and aid were met with silence. Can you imagine1417losing a family member, losing your home, and then not having your call1418unanswered when you're looking for a lifeline?1419    Yet on July 11, with over 100 people still missing and search teams1420working behind them, President Trump and Secretary Noem called it ``the1421best FEMA response ever.'' All while their administration was working1422to dismantle FEMA, the very agency whose workers were still risking1423their lives to save others.1424    And according to CNN, FEMA's search and rescue chief resigned in1425frustration over the Texas response. DHS bureaucratic hurdles cost his1426team critical time and likely lives.1427    This committee has a duty to uncover why FEMA failed to meet its1428obligations and ensure no community ever faces these failures again. I1429look forward to questioning Mr. Richardson about these stunning1430breakdowns in leadership and how we fix them.1431    Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back.14321433News Coverage of the July 4, 2025, Texas Hill Country Floods, Submitted1434                  for the Record by Hon. Greg Stanton1435    [Editor's note: The information is retained in committee files and1436is available online at the House of Representatives document repository1437at https://docs.house.gov/meetings/PW/PW13/20250723/118485/HHRG-119-1438PW13-20250723-SD002.pdf.]14391440    Mr. Perry. The Chair thanks the ranking member. The Chair1441now recognizes the ranking member of the full committee, Mr.1442Larsen, for 5 minutes for his opening statement.14431444 OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. RICK LARSEN OF WASHINGTON, RANKING1445     MEMBER, COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE14461447    Mr. Larsen of Washington. Thank you, subcommittee Chair1448Perry and Ranking Member Stanton, for convening today's hearing1449on FEMA.1450    The importance of this hearing can't be overstated with the1451recent tragedy in Texas, as it was a devastating reminder that1452disaster preparation response is a life or death matter. To1453quote former FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor, ``Emergency1454management is locally executed, State-managed, and federally1455supported.'' The system was created so the Federal Government1456can step in when local capacity and capability to respond to1457disasters has been overwhelmed. This is how emergency1458management has worked since President Carter created FEMA by1459Executive order in 1979.1460    And now the current administration has stated its desire to1461eliminate FEMA as it exists today and have States lead disaster1462response. But States already lead disaster response; that is1463how disaster response works. Dismantling FEMA does not empower1464States, it just slashes the Federal safety net that serves as a1465backstop for critical phases of emergency management. This will1466not streamline disaster response, and will unnecessarily1467inflate the impact and cost of deadly disasters.1468    And it appears so far that 434 of 435 Members in the House1469of Representatives agree that FEMA should not be eliminated, an1470outstanding majority for this body. Every congressional hearing1471on FEMA as well this year has concluded that FEMA should1472continue, and I expect that this hearing will reach the same1473conclusion.1474    Now, despite clear congressional intent to the contrary,1475here are just some of the actions the administration has taken1476to disrupt and dismantle FEMA since taking office: allowed DOGE1477unlawful access to FEMA's systems, including databases with1478disaster survivors' private information; directed FEMA to1479eliminate all climate change-related activities and1480terminology; fired 200 probationary workers and pressured over14812,000 more to quit or accept early retirement packages; halted1482all FEMA work related to resilient building codes and1483construction standards; stopped enforcement of the Federal1484flood risk management standard, putting taxpayers back on the1485hook to rebuild infrastructure that is likely to flood again;1486canceled FEMA's pre-disaster mitigation program known as BRIC,1487despite clear evidence that these investments in mitigation pay1488for themselves many times over; ignored statutory deadlines to1489facilitate FEMA disaster preparedness grants; mandated a1490wasteful and inefficient manual review of all grant1491disbursements, freezing over $100 billion in payments; ordered1492every grant and contract over $100,000 to be personally1493approved by Secretary Noem before disbursement; and ended the1494door-to-door canvassing to help survivors register for Federal1495aid after disasters.1496    Now, the culmination of these efforts paints a scary1497picture that this country is not ready for disaster season. In14982017, Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria stretched the system.1499A similar hurricane season this year would break the system.1500    So, after reading your testimony, Mr. Richardson, I am glad1501to hear that we both agree that FEMA should exist. That is why1502I have worked with Chairman Graves to draft the Fixing1503Emergency Management for Americans Act, or the FEMA Act. Our1504bill will: restore FEMA to being an independent, Cabinet-level1505agency; create a new Public Assistance Program that gives1506incentives to States to prioritize resilience and rebuild1507quickly; improve FEMA's Individual Assistance Program for1508disaster survivors by creating a universal application for1509Federal assistance, making it easier for survivors to access1510resources for basic needs and housing; and restructure FEMA's1511mitigation programs to make funding accessible with greater1512speed and reliability.1513    It does many other things, and it is based on bipartisan1514work of this committee and has bipartisan proposals from folks1515on this committee and off of this committee.1516    We will be introducing the bill this week after months of1517painstaking review and incorporation of stakeholder feedback.1518We are not waiting for the FEMA Review Council--we don't need1519to wait for a FEMA Review Council--we've have been reviewing1520FEMA for a long time, and that's why the FEMA Act is getting1521introduced.1522    So, I look forward to moving this legislation through the1523committee and to the House floor before--hopefully--having it1524passed by both houses of Congress and signed into law.1525    That is the process of making major changes to Federal1526Government agencies.1527    Today, we are going to have a serious discussion on the1528current state of the Nation's disaster readiness posture, and1529there will be some tough questions, Mr. Richardson. But please1530don't think we are asking them because we want you or FEMA to1531fail. We want you and FEMA to succeed. We desperately want and1532need you to succeed so Americans are safe from disasters. So,1533thank you for being here. I look forward to your testimony, and1534I yield back.1535    [Mr. Larsen of Washington's prepared statement follows:]15361537 Prepared Statement of Hon. Rick Larsen, a Representative in Congress1538    from the State of Washington, and Ranking Member, Committee on1539                   Transportation and Infrastructure1540    Thank you, Subcommittee Chairman Perry and Ranking Member Stanton,1541for convening today's hearing on FEMA.1542    The importance of this hearing cannot be overstated; the recent1543tragedy in Texas was a devastating reminder that disaster preparation1544and response is a life or death matter.1545    To quote former FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor, ``emergency1546management is locally executed, state-managed, and federally1547supported.''1548    The system was created so the federal government can step in when1549local capacity and capability to respond to disasters has been1550overwhelmed.1551    That is how emergency management has worked since President Carter1552created FEMA by Executive Order in 1979.1553    Now the current Administration has stated its desire to eliminate1554FEMA as it exists today and have states lead disaster response.1555    But states already lead disaster response. That is how disaster1556response works!1557    Dismantling FEMA does not empower states. It just slashes the1558federal safety net that serves as a backstop for critical phases of1559emergency management.1560    This will not streamline disaster response, and it will1561unnecessarily inflate the impact and cost of deadly disasters.1562    And, it appears so far that 434 of the 435 members in the House of1563Representatives agree that FEMA should not be eliminated. An1564outstanding majority for this body.1565    Every congressional hearing on FEMA this year has concluded that1566FEMA should continue.1567    I expect this hearing will reach the same conclusion.1568    Despite clear Congressional intent to the contrary, here are just1569some of the actions the Administration has taken to disrupt and1570dismantle FEMA since taking office:1571      Allowed DOGE unlawful access to FEMA systems including1572databases with disaster survivors' private information;1573      Directed FEMA to eliminate all climate change related1574activities and terminology;1575      Fired 200 probationary workers and pressured over 2,0001576more to quit or accept early retirement packages;1577      Halted all FEMA work related to resilient building codes1578and construction standards;1579      Stopped enforcement of the federal flood risk management1580standard, putting taxpayers back on the hook to rebuild infrastructure1581that is likely to flood again;1582      Canceled FEMA's pre-disaster mitigation program known as1583BRIC despite clear evidence that investments in mitigation pay for1584themselves many times over;1585      Ignored statutory deadlines to facilitate FEMA disaster1586preparedness grants;1587      Mandated a wasteful and inefficient manual review of all1588grant disbursements, freezing over $100 billion in payments;1589      Ordered every grant and contract over $100,000 be1590personally approved by Secretary Noem before disbursement; and1591      Ended door-to-door canvassing to help survivors register1592for federal aid after disasters.15931594    The culmination of these efforts paints a scary picture that this1595country is not ready for disaster season.1596    In 2017, Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria stretched the system--a1597similar hurricane season this year would break the system.1598    After reading your testimony, Mr. Richardson, I am glad to hear1599that we both agree FEMA should exist.1600    That is why I have worked with Chairman Graves to draft the Fixing1601Emergency Management for Americans Act.1602    Our bill will:1603      Restore FEMA to an independent cabinet level agency;1604      Create a new Public Assistance program that gives1605incentives to states to prioritize resilience and rebuild quickly;1606      Improve FEMA's Individual Assistance program for disaster1607survivors by creating a universal application for federal assistance--1608making it easier for survivors to access resources for basic needs and1609housing; and1610      Restructure FEMA's mitigation programs to make funding1611accessible with greater speed and reliability.16121613    It does many other things, and it is based on bipartisan work of1614this Committee and has bipartisan proposals from folks on this1615Committee and off of this Committee.1616    We will be introducing the bill this week, after months of1617painstaking review and incorporation of stakeholder feedback. We're not1618waiting for the FEMA Review Council--we don't need to wait for a FEMA1619review council--we've been reviewing FEMA for a long time, and that's1620why the FEMA Act is getting introduced.1621    I look forward to moving this legislation through Committee and to1622the House floor before, hopefully, having it passed by both houses of1623Congress and signed into law.1624    That is the process of making major changes to federal government1625agencies.1626    Today, we are going to have a serious discussion on the current1627state of the nation's disaster readiness posture.1628    There will be some tough questions, Mr. Richardson, but please do1629not think we are asking them because we want you or FEMA to fail.1630    We all desperately want and need you to succeed so Americans are1631safe from disasters.1632    Thank you for being here, and I look forward to your testimony.16331634    Mr. Perry. The Chair thanks the ranking member. The Chair1635now welcomes our witness, Mr. Richardson.1636    And thank you, sir, for being here.1637    Briefly, I would like to take a moment to explain our1638lighting system for our witness and for everybody else in the1639room, in case you are wondering. There are three lights in1640front of you. Green means go, yellow means you are running out1641of time, and red means to conclude your remarks.1642    I would also encourage you just to make yourself familiar1643with where the microphone switch is, so--and have the mic up to1644your mouth so we can hear you.1645    The Chair asks unanimous consent that the witness' full1646statement be included in the record.1647    Without objection, so ordered.1648    The Chair also asks unanimous consent that the record of1649today's hearing remain open until such time as our witness has1650provided answers to any questions that may be submitted to him1651in writing.1652    Without objection, so ordered.1653    The Chair also asks unanimous consent that the record1654remain open for 15 days for additional comments and information1655submitted by Members or the witness to be included in the1656record of today's hearing.1657    Without objection, so ordered.1658    As your written testimony has been made part of the record,1659sir, the subcommittee asks that you limit your oral remarks to16605 minutes.1661    With that, Mr. Richardson, you are recognized for 5 minutes1662for your testimony.16631664 TESTIMONY OF DAVID RICHARDSON, SENIOR OFFICIAL PERFORMING THE1665  DUTIES OF FEMA ADMINISTRATOR, FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT1666          AGENCY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY16671668    Mr. Richardson. Chairman Perry, Ranking Member Stanton, Mr.1669Larsen, and members of the subcommittee, thank you for the1670opportunity to testify today. I am the senior official1671performing the duties of the Administrator of FEMA.1672    Before I go on, I would be remiss if I didn't recognize the1673tragic loss of life in New Mexico and Texas after the recent1674flooding. I was on the ground in Kerr County and saw the1675devastation firsthand. I am a father, and my heart sank when I1676heard so many children perished in Texas. My heart goes out to1677all of those who have lost loved ones. That said, I am honored1678to be asked by Secretary Noem to assume my current position at1679FEMA as we work to implement President Trump's vision of1680ensuring the American people get immediate, effective, and1681impartial disaster response and recovery.1682    The President and the Secretary have called on FEMA to1683return to its statutory mission, and I am taking steps to do1684exactly that. Consistent with their guidance, I have conducted1685a thorough mission analysis of FEMA and directed the agency to1686focus on three initial operational priorities: safeguarding the1687American people; return primacy to the States; and strengthen1688State, local, Tribal, and Territorial capability to respond and1689recover from disasters.1690    First, FEMA must refocus on survivor-centric response and1691recovery. FEMA needs to remove cumbersome processes for quicker1692recovery so Americans return to their homes and communities and1693rebuild faster. We must find the most innovative and creative1694methods available to deliver assistance to every American who1695qualifies for it, while also communicating faster, more1696clearly, and through more modern means.1697    Second, FEMA needs to return to a model where disaster1698response and recovery are locally led and State-managed, with1699Federal support available when needed. As the President has1700said, sometimes FEMA gets in the way, and FEMA should never get1701in the way. The original intent of FEMA was to help State,1702local, Tribal, and Territorial partners build their disaster1703resilience, response, and recovery capabilities, and to provide1704resources when they are overwhelmed by the scope of the1705disaster. FEMA has lost sight of its original intent, but under1706the leadership of the President and the Secretary, we are1707returning to this mission focus.1708    Moving forward, we will continue to encourage increased1709State and local investment and ownership of disaster1710activities. By doing so, we will be better postured to1711eliminate processes that create delays, backlogs, and survivor1712frustration, while also increasing coordination with State and1713local officials.1714    And third, we must bolster our partners' operational1715readiness to support our homeland for the risks of today as1716well as the threats of tomorrow. This means returning authority1717and responsibility to the States, and improving our programs,1718and leveraging technology to deliver that support that1719communities and survivors need when they need it. The more we1720build our partners' resilience, the more prepared our Nation1721will be.1722    By emphasizing these operational priorities, we have1723narrowed FEMA's focus to what it should have been all along:1724making sure that resources are brought to bear to help1725communities on their worst day. We are focused on cutting1726through redtape and ensuring that when Federal assistance is1727warranted, we deliver assistance to survivors rapidly,1728regardless of the political affiliation, race, or creed. But1729these are just the initial steps.1730    The President has appointed Secretary Noem and Secretary1731Hegseth to lead the FEMA Review Council, which is conducting a1732comprehensive review of the agency. The council is dedicated to1733reimagining, not just reforming, FEMA. To that end, I will1734ensure that FEMA is fully cooperative with the Review Council.1735We respect the independence of the council's review, and will1736welcome its recommendations. I am confident that the council1737will offer the President actionable recommendations for a more1738efficient Federal disaster response which is refocused on1739serving Americans during their darkest days.1740    Additionally, the President has issued several Executive1741orders to streamline Government, and Secretary Noem and I are1742committed to ensuring that those Executive orders are carried1743out both in letter and spirit.1744    Finally, I am a long-time public servant. I served in the1745United States Marine Corps as a ground combat officer, leading1746Marines in deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Africa. Before1747FEMA, I served as the Assistant Secretary for DHS's Countering1748Weapons of Mass Destruction Office twice. As long as I am in1749this role, I will ensure FEMA remains singularly focused on the1750core mission.1751    This subcommittee has an important voice in this process of1752change, and I look forward to working with the committee on the1753FEMA of tomorrow. Thank you again for the opportunity to1754testify today, and I look forward to your questions.1755    [Mr. Richardson's prepared statement follows:]17561757Prepared Statement of David Richardson, Senior Official Performing the1758Duties of FEMA Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S.1759                    Department of Homeland Security1760    Chairman Perry, Ranking Member Stanton, and Members of the1761Subcommittee: thank you for the opportunity to testify today.1762    I am the Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Administrator1763of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).1764    I was honored to be asked by Secretary Noem to assume my current1765position at FEMA as we work to implement President Trump's vision of1766ensuring that the American people get an ``immediate, effective, and1767impartial response to and recovery from natural disasters.'' The1768President and the Secretary have called on me to return FEMA to its1769statutory mission, and I am taking steps to do exactly that.1770    Consistent with their guidance, I have conducted a thorough mission1771analysis of FEMA Headquarters and regional offices, and directed the1772Agency to focus on three initial operational priorities:1773      Safeguard the American people;1774      Return primacy to the states; and1775      Strengthen state, local, tribal, and territorial1776capability to respond and recover from disasters.17771778    First, FEMA must refocus on survivor-centric response and recovery.1779We should never let the bureaucracy of Washington, D.C. delay timely1780and effective delivery of lifesaving or life-sustaining assistance.1781FEMA needs to cut red tape and remove cumbersome processes for quicker1782recovery, so that people can return to their homes, and communities can1783rebuild faster. We must find the most innovative and creative methods1784available to deliver assistance to every American who qualifies for it,1785while also communicating faster, more clearly, and through more modern1786means.1787    Second, FEMA needs to return to a model where disaster response and1788recovery are locally led and state-managed, with federal support1789available when needed. As the President has said, sometimes FEMA gets1790in the way, and we should never get in the way. The original intent of1791FEMA was to help state, local, tribal, and territorial partners build1792their disaster resilience, response, and recovery capabilities, and to1793provide resources when they are overwhelmed by the scope of a disaster.1794FEMA lost sight of this original intent, but under the leadership of1795the President and the Secretary, we are returning to this mission1796focus. Moving forward, we will continue to encourage increased state1797and local investment and ownership of disaster activities. By doing so,1798we will be better postured to eliminate processes that create delays,1799backlogs, and survivor frustration, while also increasing coordination1800with state and local officials.1801    And third, we must bolster our partners' operational readiness to1802support our homeland for the risks of today and the threats of1803tomorrow. This means returning authority and responsibility to the1804states and improving our programs and leveraging technology to deliver1805the support that communities and survivors need, when they need it. The1806more we build our partners' resilience, the more prepared our nation1807will be.1808    By emphasizing these operational priorities, we have narrowed1809FEMA's focus to what it should have been all along: making sure that1810resources are brought to bear to help communities on their worst day.1811We are focused on cutting through red tape and ensuring that, when1812federal assistance is warranted, we deliver assistance to survivors1813rapidly, regardless of political affiliation, race, or creed.1814    But these are just initial steps. The President has appointed1815Secretary Noem and Secretary Hegseth to lead the FEMA Review Council,1816which is conducting a comprehensive review of the Agency. The Council1817is dedicated to reimagining, not just reforming, FEMA. To that end, I1818will ensure that FEMA is fully cooperative with the Review Council. We1819respect the independence of the Council's review and will welcome its1820recommendations. I am confident that the Council will offer the1821President actionable recommendations for a more efficient federal1822disaster response, which is re-focused on serving Americans during1823their darkest days.1824    Additionally, the President has issued several Executive Orders to1825streamline government, and Secretary Noem and I are committed to1826ensuring that those executive orders are carried out in both letter and1827spirit.1828    Finally, I believe in public service. I served in the Marines Corps1829as a combat officer, leading my Marines during deployments to1830Afghanistan, Iraq and Africa. Before FEMA, I served as the Assistant1831Secretary for the DHS Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office,1832where I worked to effectively fulfill my mission. I bring that same1833mindset of service to my current position. As long as I am in this1834role, I will ensure FEMA remains singularly focused on the core1835mission.1836    This Subcommittee also has an important voice in this process of1837change, and I look forward to working with the Committee on the FEMA of1838tomorrow.1839    Thank you again for the opportunity to testify today, and I look1840forward to your questions.18411842    Mr. Perry. The Chair thanks the gentleman for his1843testimony. We will now turn to questions. The Chair recognizes1844himself for 5 minutes of questioning.1845    Mr. Richardson, last week, Members received a briefing from1846the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Coast Guard, and1847the Army Corps of Engineers on the ongoing response to the1848Texas floods. And I know we are still in the response mode,1849with over 130 fatalities and 100 people still missing,1850tragically.1851    However, we do not know when the next disaster is going to1852happen. And so, I know that we are looking for after action1853reports, but I think I need to turn to some of the questioning,1854or at least the testimony today, because it countervails what1855we heard last week directly from FEMA from Mr. Turi, when I1856asked him particularly about response times to the call center.1857    Now, we understand from Mr. Turi that when there is a1858disaster occurring, that disaster is the one that receives1859precedence. So, you might be getting calls into the call center1860from across the country, but the ones outside the disaster1861response area are put kind of behind the ones that are a1862priority, which is the disaster that is occurring now. And in1863that case, wait times were significantly reduced, based on what1864we are hearing from the ranking member here.1865    And look, we just want to have the correct information. We1866don't want to say that anybody is distorting the truth, but we1867have got to make decisions on the correct information. So, the1868information we got from Mr. Turi countervails what we are1869hearing right here in the committee today. And so, I am hoping1870you can elucidate as to what you know about the call center1871response time.1872    We also know that people from around the country that call1873and don't receive an immediate pickup from the call center hang1874up. But those are still counted as calls into the response1875center, and they are aggregated into the response time.1876    As well, we also heard that FEMA did not receive a request1877from the State until Monday. So, there was no request prior to1878Monday for FEMA to get involved in the disaster response1879recovery effort.1880    And so, I would like you to elucidate, if you could, any of1881that information that we received from Mr. Turi last week.1882    Mr. Richardson. So, thank you for your question, Chairman1883Perry.1884    First, to the call center. So, any time that there is a1885disaster, we surge support to the call center to address those1886calls, and that is what we did. And so, the disaster happened1887on Friday, and then there was Saturday and Sunday. And for most1888people, they don't call into the call center over the weekend.1889They would call in on Monday. And indeed, we had the surge1890support available all weekend. And when they came in on Monday,1891of course, there was a surge.1892    Now, as Mr. Turi very likely told you, all calls were1893answered within 3 minutes, and no calls beyond 10 minutes. So,1894it was from 3 to 10 minutes. And the vast majority of phone1895calls were answered and the questions were addressed.1896    Now, regarding the--I think the next part of the question1897is the support on the ground in Texas on--was it--you said1898Monday, correct?1899    Mr. Perry. Well, that is what we understand from----1900    Mr. Richardson [interposing]. Yes.1901    Mr. Perry [continuing]. Mr. Turi is when FEMA received the1902request from the State of Texas. FEMA doesn't----1903    Mr. Richardson [interrupting]. That is correct.1904    Mr. Perry [continuing]. Just doesn't go unrequested. As the1905Federal Government----1906    Mr. Richardson [interrupting]. That is correct.1907    Mr. Perry [continuing]. The requirement is to wait for the1908State to request, and then be prepared to respond.1909    Mr. Richardson. So, Texas--first of all, on the deck in1910Texas on the 4th of July, there was a national urban search and1911rescue team. We have 28 of those teams all over the country.1912One of them is in Texas. So in College Station, Texas, that1913FEMA-funded, FEMA-trained, and FEMA-equipped asset was already1914on the deck on 4 July. And there was also a Federal1915coordinating officer at the EOC, Emergency Operations Center,1916in Austin.1917    And regarding the request on Monday, that is correct. So,1918the disaster declaration didn't come in until Sunday, and then1919Monday, they requested and the support was there within 241920hours.1921    Mr. Perry. Within 24 hours. Is there a standard by which is1922set for FEMA on--the response time is 24 hours? It seems--from1923my standpoint, that seems like a long time to wait, so just1924tell me if there is a standard.1925    When we had a medevac call in Iraq, as the commander of the1926task force, if the aircraft wasn't airborne within 8 minutes of1927the call, it was a call directly to the Secretary of Defense.1928What is the response time, if you know, required for FEMA on1929such a response?1930    Mr. Richardson. Thank you for the question. Once again,1931they get there as quickly as possible. Those two teams came1932from, I believe it was, Tennessee. No, it was Missouri and1933Colorado. And they get there as soon as possible, because they1934have got to move----1935    Mr. Perry [interrupting]. I understand, but--so my time has1936expired, but is there a minimum response time? I am just asking1937for purposes of trying to make things better. So does FEMA have1938a minimum response time once the request is made to respond,1939like within an hour or within 24 hours? What is the----1940    Mr. Richardson [interrupting]. Well, they respond1941immediately, and as soon as they get the word, they move. So,1942they respond immediately----1943    Mr. Perry [interrupting]. But there is no requirement that1944you know of? There is no requirement?1945    Mr. Richardson. They get there as fast as possible. I don't1946know if there is an hour number----1947    Mr. Perry [interposing]. Okay.1948    Mr. Richardson [continuing]. But they get there as fast as1949possible.1950    Mr. Perry. If you could get back to the committee with that1951information, that would be helpful.1952    With that, my time is expired----1953    Mr. Richardson [interrupting]. I will.1954    Mr. Perry [continuing]. And the Chair now recognizes the1955ranking member, Representative Stanton from Arizona.1956    Mr. Stanton. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I, too, was1957at the briefing that you were at, and it sounds like you and I1958share our disappointment in FEMA staff for pointing the finger1959at Governor Abbott, and blaming Governor Abbott and his team1960for a late request for urban search and rescue help in this1961horrible disaster.1962    But as Mr. Richardson, I am sure, knows, under Federal law,1963under the National Response Framework, FEMA does not wait for a1964request from the local government. Under the National Response1965Framework, Federal law requires FEMA to anticipate the needs of1966States in disasters to coordinate proactively, and not to wait1967on the State's request for positioning resources.1968    Mr. Richardson, were you aware that this is Federal law for1969you to act proactively, and not to wait for a request from1970Governor Abbott to pre-position resources?1971    Mr. Richardson. Thank you for the question, Mr. Stanton.1972    The capability, indeed, was pre-positioned. And that is why1973I mentioned Texas Task Force 1. It was pre-positioned in Texas1974and ready to go. Once again, that is a federally trained,1975federally equipped--and they were----1976    Mr. Stanton [interrupting]. Mr. Richardson, I have got to1977cut you off, because I have a short bit of time.1978    You need to talk to your staff, because your staff was1979pointing the finger at Governor Abbott and saying the lack of1980urban search and rescue proactivity was based upon a late1981request from the Governor's office. My belief--and it sounds1982like your belief--is that the requirement for you, as the FEMA1983Administrator, is in light of the weather reports and how bad1984it was going to be, was to pre-position those urban search and1985rescue folks in advance. And I believe that FEMA has failed in1986that mission because there could have been a lot more urban1987search and rescue there--they weren't there until 72 hours1988after the tragic incident.1989    How many times have you met with President Trump since you1990have assumed this role?1991    Mr. Richardson. I have not met with President Trump.1992    Mr. Stanton. How many times have you spoken with President1993Trump, one on one, in your current capacity?1994    Mr. Richardson. I correspond with the President on a1995regular basis.1996    Mr. Stanton. Where were you on July 4 and July 5 of this1997year?1998    Mr. Richardson. On July 4, I was on vacation.1999    Mr. Stanton. When did you return from your vacation?2000    Mr. Richardson. I returned the next day.2001    Mr. Stanton. So, on July 5, you returned to Washington, DC.2002    Mr. Richardson. I spent the entire vacation in my vehicle,2003speaking on my phone to either the State of Texas or DHS2004coordinating for the events in Texas.2005    Mr. Stanton. Were you on the first plane back to2006Washington, then, from your vacation?2007    Mr. Richardson. I was in my truck, with my two boys and2008myself. I was in my truck. I remained in my truck the whole2009time.2010    Mr. Stanton. When did you first learn of Secretary Noem's2011$100,000 sign-off policy?2012    And did you warn her or anyone at DHS about the potential2013for delays in FEMA's ability to respond as a result of that2014policy?2015    Mr. Richardson. The Secretary signs anything that comes2016across her desk nearly immediately, without undue delay. And I2017never had a concern about the $100,000 memo. It never concerned2018me. I have never seen it cause any undue delay.2019    Mr. Stanton. The $100,000 sign-off policy did not delay2020your ability to proactively put forward resources, urban search2021and rescue resources in place as soon as you knew how bad the2022flood was?2023    Mr. Richardson. Under President Trump's leadership and2024Secretary Noem's leadership, their exceptional leadership, the2025support that was so critical to the people and the State of2026Texas on their worst day was on target, on time. And that is2027what they told me. That is what the President said. That is2028what the Secretary said. Texas got what they needed when they2029needed it.2030    Mr. Stanton. So, your lack of visibility in the hours and2031days and even week after this horrific flood that cost so many2032lives is shocking. Secretary Noem was very present. You were2033not.2034    Did President Trump, Secretary Noem, or any official at the2035White House direct you to stand down during this crisis?2036    Mr. Richardson. I was in constant communication with the2037State of Texas, DHS, and the White House, handling the disaster2038immediately when I found out. And I remained so for the entire2039time. Constant communication with the emergency manager in the2040State of Texas, Nim Kidd, as well as region 6, as well as2041communication with the White House and Secretary Noem. I was on2042full duty, full-time.2043    Mr. Stanton. Mr. Richardson, you were nowhere near Texas at2044the critical moments in the search and rescue, and you did not2045even show your face for more than a week after the flood. You2046are the Administrator of this critical agency. You are the2047leader, but you did not lead as you are required to by Federal2048law. But worse, you seem uninterested to learn what went wrong2049and how to respond better.2050    Do the victims and survivors in Texas deserve an apology?2051    Mr. Richardson. What happened in Texas was an absolute2052tragedy. It is hard to fathom. I went to Texas, I flew over. It2053was an absolute tragedy. My heart goes out to the people in2054Texas.2055    Mr. Stanton. That was----2056    Mr. Richardson [interrupting]. I know that there was----2057    Mr. Stanton [continuing]. That was intended as a yes-or-no2058question, and I will appropriately take that as a no.2059    Mr. Chairman, this wasn't just incompetence. It wasn't just2060indifference. It was both. And that deadly combination likely2061cost lives.2062    I yield back.2063    Mr. Perry. The gentleman's time has expired. The Chair now2064recognizes Representative Ezell from Mississippi.2065    Mr. Ezell. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, Mr.2066Richardson, for being here, and thank you for meeting with me2067earlier last week. We discussed numerous FEMA issues the other2068day.2069    For years, the agency has struggled to respond effectively2070to disasters both before and after they occur. A couple of2071months ago, one of the county managers from North Carolina2072testified before this subcommittee and reflected on the fact2073that FEMA did not even pick up the phone when tragedy struck.2074    Within my own district, as we have discussed, projects2075still linger after Katrina. We are coming up on the 20th2076anniversary next month, 20 years after the deadly hurricane,2077and my office is still battling with FEMA over issues from that2078hurricane.2079    Mr. Richardson, what measures is FEMA taking to finally2080close out the Katrina projects?2081    Mr. Richardson. There is a great emphasis on closing out2082the FEMA projects. It is one of my discoveries during the full2083mission analysis at FEMA that we have a long way to go on2084closing out all the open disasters. In fact, just this morning,2085I was briefed on the open disasters. And that's one of the2086challenges we find with FEMA, that there are too many2087bureaucratic processes in place for closing out the disasters.2088    Mr. Ezell. Are you are going to work on cutting out some of2089those bureaucratic issues?2090    Mr. Richardson. Indeed I am, sir, and I would be glad to2091collaborate with you, come see you, and talk you through how we2092are doing that.2093    Mr. Ezell. Thank you. Kind of switching gears here just a2094minute, last Congress, I asked Administrator Criswell to2095consider the flood map provided by locals in my State. I am2096encouraged by the positive feedback from that. And I want to2097continue on with the conversations about that between FEMA and2098the stakeholders in Mississippi.2099    A more informed consumer base armed with clear signals2100about their flood risk would lead to better insurance2101participation, stronger risk pools, and encourage flood2102mitigation investments that reduce flood insurance premiums and2103help the taxpayer. How is FEMA modernizing NFIP to meet the2104need for property level risk flood management?2105    Mr. Richardson. So, the national flood insurance is a2106challenge. Floods are the most damaging disaster that we have,2107and that is what costs billions of dollars a year.2108    So, what I can say is that we are looking at ways to2109modernize, and I don't want to get ahead of the FEMA Review2110Council because I know that the FEMA Review Council is also2111looking at ways to modernize the flood insurance program so2112that we can all benefit from it. Right now, as I mentioned, it2113is very expensive, but we always pay out the premiums at FEMA.2114    Mr. Ezell. Thank you. Mr. Richardson, many States depend on2115preparedness grants for approaching disasters. Currently, we2116are in hurricane season, as you well know, and these grants are2117vital for preparation and mitigation.2118    Mr. Chairman, I request to submit for the record a letter2119from Representative Davidson and Representative Landsman to2120Secretary Noem and Mr. Richardson.2121    Mr. Perry. Without objection, so ordered.2122    [The information follows:]21232124     Letter of July 16, 2025, to Hon. Kristi Noem, Secretary, U.S.2125  Department of Homeland Security, and Hon. David Richardson, Senior2126Official Performing the Duties of FEMA Administrator, Federal Emergency2127 Management Agency. from Hon. Greg Landsman and Hon. Warren Davidson,2128              Submitted for the Record by Hon. Mike Ezell2129                     Congress of the United States,2130                                House of Representatives,2131                                                Washington, DC,2132                                                   July 16, 2025.2133The Honorable Kristi Noem,2134Secretary,2135U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 300 7th St SW, Washington, DC2136        20024.2137The Honorable David Richardson,2138Senior Official Performing the Duties of FEMA Administrator,2139Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C St SW, Washington, DC 20024.21402141RE: Frozen Public Safety Grants21422143    Secretary Noem and Mr. Richardson:2144    We write to request further information regarding the ongoing delay2145on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Notices of Funding2146Opportunities (NOFOs) for critical public safety programs, including2147the Emergency Management Performance Grant program (EMPG), the Urban2148Area Security Initiative (UASI) and State Homeland Security Program2149(SHSP). These are significant public safety grants for cities and2150states across the country. Urban, suburban, and rural jurisdictions are2151greatly assisted every year by this grant funding.2152    The Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Continuing Resolution (P.L. 119-4)2153includes a 60-day deadline for the release of NOFOs for the authorized2154and funded grant programs. To date, no FEMA programs have been noticed.2155Furthermore, we have heard from constituent public safety and emergency2156management agencies that they anticipate no NOFOs being released for2157FY25.2158    Programs like the Emergency Management Performance Grant program,2159Urban Area Security Initiative grant, and State Homeland Security2160Program grant address public safety and disaster preparedness2161initiatives in communities across the State of Ohio and every other2162state in the country. EMPG supports state and local level emergency2163management programs, UASI supports community emergency response and2164cybersecurity programs, while SHSP augments law enforcement and first2165responder capabilities during emergencies. For example, Ohio's fusion2166centers--particularly those that serve Cincinnati and surrounding, less2167populated counties--enhance cooperation and intelligence sharing among2168various law enforcement agencies and receive critical support from2169these FEMA programs that keep all Southwest Ohioans, and all Americans,2170safe.2171    These delays in the FY25 grant process will significantly delay the2172disbursement of these critical funds. Therefore, we request information2173and/or a response on the following:2174    1)  Why have NOFOs for FY25 grants not been released despite the217560-day deadline?2176    2)  Is there a specific executive order or OMB directive precluding2177disbursement of these funds? If so, what is being done to remedy the2178issue and when can applicants expect to receive funding again?21792180    We appreciate all relevant context and information that the2181department can provide on this issue. Without these funds, urban,2182suburban, and rural communities in all 50 states may be significantly2183less prepared for natural disasters, preventing violent attacks, and2184responding to emergency situations in a timely manner. As such, we2185respectfully urge you to release FY25 NOFOs.2186            Sincerely,21872188Greg Landsman,2189  Member of Congress.2190Warren Davidson,2191  Member of Congress.21922193    Mr. Ezell. Mr. Richardson, can we expect the Notices of2194Funding Opportunities for fiscal year 2025 grants to be2195released? They are currently 68 days behind their past due2196date.2197    Mr. Richardson. I have good news. As we speak, notice of2198fundings are going out the door.2199    Mr. Ezell. Great. Boy, that is really good news.2200    Lastly, Mr. Richardson, have you been able to read through2201the bipartisan work product the committee has introduced on2202FEMA reform? And what is your opinion of the reform draft?2203    Mr. Richardson. Indeed, I have. Can you repeat the last2204part of the question, Mr. Ezell?2205    Mr. Ezell. Have you been able to read through the reform we2206have asked? And can you give us your opinion about the draft?2207    Mr. Richardson. So, I read through the draft. And because I2208have done my own thorough mission analysis at FEMA, I am pretty2209familiar with the language in your draft. And there were a2210couple of things I saw. Although it didn't address mission2211creep necessarily, what I did see was that it was restricted to2212the statutory missions of FEMA, which is good, because what I2213discovered during the mission analysis, there is a lot of2214mission creep.2215    A couple of other things I saw in there. There was a large2216emphasis on coordination. I think part of the mission creep at2217FEMA is that there are boots on the ground where we should be2218doing more coordination.2219    I do believe I saw something in there on continuity, which2220is outstanding, and then I think there could be better survivor2221interface, and that is also something that was in the draft2222language.2223    Mr. Ezell. Okay. Thank you, sir, and I appreciate you being2224here today.2225    And Mr. Chairman, I yield back.2226    Mr. Perry. The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair now2227recognizes the ranking member of the full committee,2228Representative Larsen from Washington.2229    Mr. Larsen of Washington. Thank you, Mr. Chair.2230    Mr. Richardson, your testimony says that you have been2231asked to ``return FEMA to its statutory mission,'' and you2232mentioned that a couple of times. So, I have a list here2233compiled by the Congressional Research Service of the 5182234actions that the law mandates FEMA needs to do. And currently,2235FEMA doesn't follow all these laws. It's 518 statutory2236missions.2237    And this is kind of a crazy question, but can you commit2238today that you will fulfill the promise in your testimony to2239return FEMA to its statutory mission and implement all the2240mandates in this list?2241    Mr. Richardson. So, the answer is I did--we did a whole2242mission analysis at FEMA, which comes up with just--not far2243from the statutory tasks that you have there. And what we did--2244and I can commit to--is that we developed eight mission-2245essential tasks that we have to do by statute. We have only2246done the initial analysis, but what I can commit to is we,2247until otherwise directed, will continue to carry out the2248mission-essential tasks for the Federal Emergency Management--2249--2250    Mr. Larsen of Washington [interrupting]. Well, I think it2251is fair to say that there are probably eight categories of2252missions, and I don't think FEMA only does eight things. And I2253think what these 518 actions that are in law that says FEMA has2254to do that are your mandates are worth going over.2255    So, I want to be sure we enter this in the record, Mr.2256Chair.2257    Mr. Chair?2258    [No response.]2259    Mr. Larsen of Washington. I will take care of it.2260    The next thing I want to ask is you noted that the2261original----2262    Mr. Perry [interrupting]. Without objection, so ordered.2263    [The information follows:]22642265   FEMA Statutory Authorities, Structural Protections, and Selected2266    Delegations as Compiled by the Congressional Research Service,2267              Submitted for the Record by Hon. Rick Larsen2268    [Editor's note: The information is retained in committee files and2269is available online at the House of Representatives document repository2270at https://docs.house.gov/meetings/PW/PW13/20250723/118485/HHRG-119-2271PW13-20250723-SD003.pdf.]22722273    Mr. Larsen of Washington. Thank you.2274    Your testimony says the original intent of FEMA was to help2275State, local, Tribal, Territorial partners build their disaster2276resilience, and that FEMA ``must bolster our partners'2277operational readiness to support our homeland for the risks of2278today and the threats of tomorrow.'' Here's the thing. There2279are three, really kind of basic, three missions of FEMA: pre-2280disaster mitigation, immediate response, and recovery. It2281sounds to me like the administration really wants to do2282response and recovery, and leave sort of the preparation to2283lower the damage from disasters, leave that to State and local2284governments--that is the pre-disaster mitigation bit--which is2285why the administration canceled billions of dollars in BRIC2286money--Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities--money2287and pulled that back.2288    But it does seem that you aren't helping communities2289prepare for their worst day if we are not helping them--if we2290are not including in the recovery bit the ability to build for2291that worst day so the impact of the worst day is less than it2292could have been. And that is pre-disaster mitigation2293assistance.2294    I am thinking specifically of a lot of things in my State,2295one in particular, the $85 million grant that was 4 years in2296the making for the county at Grays Harbor. I can get you the2297details on it. But this is not a county that is going to find2298$85 million in the couch cushions to be able to do that work.2299And there are places all over the country that need Federal2300assistance for pre-disaster mitigation in order to prepare for2301the likelihood that something is coming in the future. It could2302be floods in my area, it could be earthquakes in my area, it2303could be wildfires and so on.2304    But the administration is sort of saying, no, States and2305locals need to do that, when they don't have the money to do2306that. We are the backstop. We need to be helping States and2307locals prepare for this, and paying for this with appropriate2308review so that the disaster we respond to is less than it could2309have been.2310    And so, I mean, do you think that FEMA has no2311responsibility to help local governments and State governments2312prepare for that worst day? Because that is what it sounds2313like.2314    Mr. Richardson. What I think is that--I think--I believe2315you are referring to mitigation, correct?2316    Mr. Larsen of Washington. Yes, yes.2317    Mr. Richardson. Okay.2318    Mr. Larsen of Washington. Yes.2319    Mr. Richardson. Okay. What I believe and what FEMA believes2320is mitigation is very important. And I think you know what the2321return on investment for----2322    Mr. Larsen of Washington [interposing]. Absolutely.2323    Mr. Richardson [continuing]. Mitigation----2324    Mr. Larsen of Washington [interrupting]. Seven to one, or--2325--2326    Mr. Richardson [continuing]. Mitigation, it is like, yes,2327seven to one, or six to one, I don't really remember.2328    However, under Secretary Noem's outstanding leadership, as2329well as the President's outstanding leadership, FEMA is2330responsible to ensure there is proper oversight of the grant2331funding for mitigation.2332    Mr. Larsen of Washington. Well, here is the point on that,2333and I appreciate that. I don't think their leadership has been2334outstanding on that, and that is my job to be critical and to2335be complimentary when things are--when both circumstances avail2336themselves to that.2337    But on pre-disaster mitigation, on helping communities2338prepare, I don't think they have done outstanding leadership.2339They have actually cut the money to zero to help our State and2340local governments prepare for that worst day so the worst day2341is less than it would have been.2342    And we may not have been specific in the FEMA Act to2343include that. We are looking at changes to make as part of the2344FEMA Act. It doesn't mean we are against disaster mitigation2345assistance, because we already have that. What you are all2346choosing to do is to not do what you can do.2347    Now, the law doesn't say you have to fund the BRIC program;2348it authorizes you to fund the BRIC program and DRF. But not2349funding the BRIC program is actually making the worst day the2350actual--really the worst day, as opposed to investing in2351ensuring the worst day is less than it could have been.2352    I have just really got to hit home on that, and we are2353really going to push hard on you all, the administration, so2354that their leadership can be outstanding. I want it to be2355outstanding. I don't think it is right now.2356    I yield back.2357    Mr. Perry. The gentleman's time has expired. The Chair now2358recognizes Representative Kennedy.2359    Dr. Kennedy of Utah. Thank you, Mr. Chair.2360    Thank you, Mr. Richardson, for being here. I wanted to2361start off with a disaster that is unfolding in the State of2362Utah right now, a fire that currently is--the Deer Creek Fire2363has burned more than 17,000 acres, and we have over 5802364firefighters and personnel on the line right now in the State2365of Utah. There are helicopters, dozers, and engines that are2366backing up these individuals trying to help with that. But I2367want to recognize their courage and thank FEMA for stepping in2368to help early with a Fire Management Assistance Grant. That is2369really important to us, and that Federal support actually can2370make all the difference as we deal with the wildfires not only2371in the State of Utah, but throughout the West.2372    That said, serious challenges remain. In 2024, Utah2373expected to spend $12 million on wildfire suppression, and2374instead, we spent $28 million by late August. And FMAG2375reimbursements from previous fire seasons are still delayed for2376us, leaving the State to front the costs.2377    Thanks to your leadership and the Utah State Legislature,2378we are now operating with the unified Wildfire Suppression Fund2379that supports prevention and post-fire recovery. It is a2380forward-looking, State-led model that gives Utah the2381flexibility to act quickly and invest wisely. Utah needs2382Federal partners who help us move faster, not slow us down in2383these circumstances. I have a few questions regarding that.2384    So the first question is, working with the Utah2385Legislature, we have got this Wildfire Suppression Fund that is2386designed to manage all phases before, during, and after the2387fire. How is FEMA supporting that kind of State-led model,2388especially for major incidents like the Deer Creek Fire and2389smaller fires like Emilia and Rye Draw?2390    Mr. Richardson. Thank you for your question.2391    So, the way we manage that is not only through FEMA, but2392also through the regional administrator, and they work very2393closely with the States on those issues.2394    I am very aware--and my heart goes out to the people of the2395fires. I get briefed on that nearly every day, so, I see them.2396And so, that is kind of how we handle that at the--normally at2397the regional level. And the regional managers, they will2398contact me. We are in close communication and we work through2399any issues that happen. But that generally happens at the2400regional level, which is the--it is how it should be, because2401that is the closest to----2402    Dr. Kennedy of Utah [interposing]. Great.2403    Mr. Richardson [continuing].The State.2404    Dr. Kennedy of Utah. Good. Thank you very much for that.2405    As to these reimbursements, the assistance grants2406reimbursements, Utah is still waiting for FMAG payments from2407past fire seasons. What is FEMA doing to speed that up to help2408these States that have spent a lot of money to suppress these2409wildfires, often that are on Federal lands?2410    Mr. Richardson. Sir, you are asking me how we are speeding2411up the FMAG process?2412    Dr. Kennedy of Utah. Yes, how do we speed up the FMAG2413process?2414    Mr. Richardson. So, I am not real familiar with exactly how2415we do the FMAG. What I would like to do is go back to my office2416and see----2417    Dr. Kennedy of Utah [interrupting]. Please do.2418    Mr. Richardson [continuing]. Exactly how it is done, and2419then we will bring to you some recommendations, if I----2420    Dr. Kennedy of Utah [interrupting]. Yes, and anything we2421can do to help with that, with recommendations on your part or2422our part. The reality is this is in the State, but the Federal2423lands are often implicated, which leads me to my final2424question.2425    If I have any time remaining, I will yield that to my2426chair.2427    But the Deer Creek Fire currently is crossing county and2428State lines as well as Tribal lands. And what systems is FEMA2429using to support real-time coordination as we deal with various2430jurisdictions associated with these fires which don't respect2431boundaries?2432    Mr. Richardson. So, are you asking me what technology we2433are using?2434    Dr. Kennedy of Utah. Technology or methods that we will use2435as these fires cross various jurisdictions, including State2436lines, county lines, and Tribal lands.2437    Mr. Richardson. Once again, I am going to have to get back2438with my staff, and I will circle back with you.2439    Dr. Kennedy of Utah. Please do, thank you very much.2440    Mr. Richardson. Because I don't know the exact answer to2441that.2442    Dr. Kennedy of Utah. Mr. Chair, I will yield time to you2443if--I have got about a minute left, so please----2444    Mr. Perry [interrupting]. The Chair thanks the gentleman.2445    Mr. Richardson, in previous questioning, it was implied2446that FEMA is, I think, uncaring. And many of us on either side2447of the aisle here have certainly plenty of, I think, justified2448criticism of FEMA. But in regard to the Texas flood and the2449search-and-rescue effort, it was my understanding in the2450briefing last week that the Governor requested the Coast2451Guard--indeed, close by, one unit located in Houston--neither2452unit could get to the site of the flooding and actually do a2453search and rescue or recovery operations due to weather. And as2454a matter of fact, one of the members of the Coast Guard has2455been highly decorated for his actions on the ground there.2456    Can you--look, like I said, we just want to make sure that2457we level-set here and we understand what happened, what FEMA's2458role was, what FEMA was prepared for but what was actually used2459by the Governor. If FEMA was stationed onsite but the Governor2460didn't want FEMA there because he wanted to use the Coast Guard2461because of a pre-existing relationship or because of capability2462or location, that is important to know now. Can you provide or2463shed any light on that issue?2464    Mr. Richardson. Definitely. Thank you for the question. So,2465let's back up.2466    So, from the second that I found out about the horrible2467disaster in Texas, what I was doing was coordinating, okay?2468From where I was, I was coordinating to ensure that these2469assets were being applied to the disaster.2470    Now, Texas Task Force 1, which is a FEMA paid-for and2471equipped asset, was working also with the State emergency2472manager, but they also have a direct relationship with the2473Coast Guard, CBP, public health, and the Texas National Guard.2474So, there were other forces on the ground that were either2475Federal forces like Texas Task Force 1, which is a national,2476and then there were also other DHS assets. And through2477Secretary Noem's extraordinary leadership, my coordination, we2478made sure they were available to the Emergency Operations2479Center.2480    Mr. Perry. I appreciate the answer. The time of the2481gentleman is long expired, and I want to respect everybody on2482the committee. The Chair now recognizes the Delegate from2483Washington, DC, Ms. Norton.2484    Ms. Norton. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.2485    Mr. Richardson, the Potomac River is the only source of2486drinking water for the Nation's Capital, which I represent. The2487Army Corps of Engineers produces the drinking water for the2488Nation's Capital. And the Army Corps only has 1 day of backup2489water supply. This poses a significant risk to the residents of2490the Nation's Capital, the operations of the Federal Government,2491national security, and regional economy.2492    What steps, if any, has the Federal Emergency Management2493Agency taken to prepare for the possibility that the Potomac2494River could become unusable for drinking water at any moment,2495whether through man-made or natural events?2496    Mr. Richardson. Ms. Norton, thank you for your question,2497and the first time this came to my attention was yesterday2498afternoon. And before I left the office, I asked my staff, I2499said, ``We need to get together information so that I can go2500sit down with Ms. Norton and walk through this, and we need to2501know all the issues.''2502    So, if you would allow me to come and talk you through this2503and figure out how we are going to address this, I would2504appreciate it.2505    Ms. Norton. Very much, I would appreciate your coming.2506    Do you believe that human activity, particularly the2507burning of fossil fuels, is the primary cause of climate2508change?2509    Mr. Richardson. Thank you for the question, Ms. Norton.2510    What I believe is, I am sitting in the chair of the FEMA2511Administrator. I believe that we will address disasters,2512regardless of their origin.2513    Ms. Norton. Well, do you believe that the frequency and2514severity of natural disasters in the United States are2515increasing?2516    Mr. Richardson. What I believe is, regardless of whether2517they are increasing or not, that FEMA is there to assist the2518American public, the Nation, in disaster response and recovery,2519regardless of the origin or regardless of the frequency.2520    Ms. Norton. Thank you very much, and I yield back.2521    Mr. Perry. The Chair thanks the gentlewoman. The Chair now2522recognizes the gentleman from Texas, Representative Babin.2523    Dr. Babin. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate it.2524    And also thank you, Administrator Richardson, not only for2525being here, but also for your service as a marine. Thank you so2526much.2527    The tragic events that took place during the flood in the2528heart of the Texas Hill Country has shaken us all very, very2529deeply. But for me and many families in my district, this hit2530pretty close to home. The Hill Country is home to Camp Mystic,2531Camp Stewart, Camp Waldemar, Heart O' the Hills, and many other2532cherished summer camps. The children at these camps were2533heavily impacted by the flooding.2534    My family's connection to these camps spans generations. As2535a matter of fact, my father-in-law and my brother-in-law were2536there in the 1930s and 1960s. I was a teenage counselor myself2537in the 1960s. My own granddaughter had just returned from Camp2538Mystic's first term earlier this summer, and another one of my2539granddaughters was planning on attending Camp Mystic, as well,2540in the second term, but unfortunately--or should I say2541fortunately--she had a torn meniscus, and we had to cancel. I2542have had four grandsons attend Camp Stewart just a few miles2543down the road, and there are so many more people not related2544necessarily by blood but who feel like camp family to me. It2545was a cultural thing that went for many, many generations.2546    The entire State mourns the loss of long-time camp director2547Jane Ragsdale, a woman who poured her heart into shaping2548generations of young lives, including my own daughters and2549granddaughters. No words can really, truly capture the grief2550and heartbreak that so many of us feel, but we owe it to these2551families and future generations to ensure that this never2552happens again.2553    We must learn everything we can from this tragedy. We must2554act. And that is why the House Committee on Science, Space, and2555Technology, which I chair, will be conducting a thorough review2556of the circumstances surrounding this event, and it is also why2557reauthorization of the Weather Act must prioritize improving2558weather communication, strengthening coordination with local2559officials, and accelerating technological innovation.2560    Communities must have every single advantage when severe2561weather hits. NOAA and the National Weather Service must be2562equipped to fulfill their core mission: protecting life and2563property. The National Weather Service has been found to have2564done their job. They were not understaffed. The truth of the2565matter is they did what they needed to do.2566    Administrator Richardson, as you know, heavy rains and2567flash floods are not uncommon in Texas, especially in my own2568district over on the east side of the State, where we have had2569seven disaster declarations in 10 years. But the scale and2570suddenness of this particular event in Kerr County, Texas,2571demand urgent attention.2572    And here on the Transportation and Infrastructure2573Committee, where we work closely with FEMA on long-term2574planning and disaster mitigation, I look forward to working2575with you and your team to identify gaps, streamline interagency2576communications, and support smart, data-driven solutions.2577Whether it's investing in flood mapping, modernizing warning2578systems, or expanding public education, we have got to work2579together to prevent another tragedy. This flood has changed2580lives forever. We owe it to every single family, camper,2581counselor, first responder to make sure that their pain leads2582to progress.2583    I don't have--well, I have got a little time left, so, I2584want to ask you--I have a question. What steps will FEMA take2585to ensure that something like this will never happen again?2586    And how can we in Congress support your efforts to2587strengthen preparedness and response capabilities?2588    Mr. Richardson. Thank you for your question.2589    Dr. Babin. Yes, sir.2590    Mr. Richardson. And once again, the events in Texas, the2591tragic--I mean, we have all heard descriptions of it, seen2592descriptions of it. It was absolutely horrible, and our hearts2593go out to the great State of Texas and all the people. I have2594got two boys, and I just--when I flew over the Guadalupe River2595and saw Camp Mystic, my heart, which had already sank, sunk2596further.2597    But this is how we kind of work this. This is locally led,2598State-managed, and federally supported. So, what we do is, we2599work as closely as we can with the emergency managers in Texas2600and the local communities. And through mitigation grants and2601resilience and those type of efforts, we work with them to2602build the best emergency management system we can have.2603    And as you saw in Texas, under the Secretary's leadership2604and the President's leadership, it worked very, very well.2605Under Nim Kidd's guidance, it is--that is a model of how it2606works. And I can tell you that Texas is in good hands, and we2607want to use Texas as a model for how it is done.2608    I spoke to--immediately when I found out about the2609disaster, I was on the phone the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday2610almost constantly speaking to Nim Kidd, the region, and that2611crew there, and that is why that was--the partnership between2612FEMA and the State and the local was the reason why that was2613handled so well and why, although it is a tragedy, it was a2614model for how to respond to a disaster.2615    Dr. Babin. Okay.2616    Mr. Perry. The gentleman's----2617    Dr. Babin [interrupting]. Thank you.2618    Mr. Perry [continuing]. Time has expired.2619    Dr. Babin. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, I yield back.2620    Mr. Perry. The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair now2621recognizes Representative Friedman from California.2622    Ms. Friedman. Thank you, Mr. Richardson, for being here2623today. I represent parts of Los Angeles, which, of course, was2624devastated by huge megafires recently. I am very appreciative2625of FEMA's efforts on the ground.2626    What we have discovered is that currently, FEMA bars2627providing assistance to disaster victims who have received2628individual charitable donations like through their church or2629through a GoFundMe page. They are finding that FEMA is2630deducting that amount. So, I introduced a bill, Don't Penalize2631Victims Act, to ensure that charitable donations are not2632considered a duplication of benefits by FEMA. People aren't2633raising money to give it to FEMA. They are raising money to2634give it to victims to help them rebuild their lives.2635    I would like you to say that you are willing to work with2636us on this, and that you will support these efforts as they2637move forward.2638    Mr. Richardson. I would be glad to work with you, and what2639I would like to say is there should be no politics in emergency2640management. I would be glad to work with you, and glad to look2641into it.2642    Ms. Friedman. Thank you, and now I would like to continue2643on some of the questions that have been asked about FEMA's2644response to the horrific flooding in Texas. And as a mom whose2645daughter has gone to a Girl Scout camp and been up in wild2646areas, that whole incident really broke my heart. So, my heart2647goes out to everybody in Texas that was affected.2648    The New York Times reported last week that on July 7, 32649days into the emergency response effort, FEMA call centers2650responded to less than 20 percent of the calls coming in from2651disaster victims for help. That means more than four out of2652five calls went unanswered, and I can just imagine the2653frustration of people looking for loved ones, dealing with2654damage, dealing with incredible tragedy to find out that their2655Government just wasn't answering the phone.2656    Secretary Noem, however, claimed on ``Meet the Press'' that2657the New York Times piece was ``fake news,'' so, I would like to2658clear this up for the record. Isn't it accurate that 802659percent--at least--of the calls that went to FEMA call centers2660on July 7 went unanswered?2661    Mr. Richardson. When the tragedy struck, we knew there2662would be a----2663    Ms. Friedman [interrupting]. It is a pretty simple yes-or-2664no question. They either answered the calls or they didn't2665answer the calls on July 7.2666    Mr. Richardson. When there was a spike in calls, FEMA was2667there to answer the calls. The majority of the calls were2668answered at the call centers.2669    Ms. Friedman. Well, that is not what the report says. The2670report says that on July 5, as the floodwaters were starting to2671recede, FEMA received 3,027 calls from disaster survivors and2672answered 3,018 of them, which is over 99 percent. Contractors2673report call center companies answered the vast majority of the2674calls. That evening, however, Ms. Noem did not renew the2675contracts with those four companies and hundreds of contractors2676were fired, according to the documents and the person briefed2677on the matter. The next day, July 6, FEMA received 2,363 calls2678and answered 846, or roughly 35.8 percent, according to those2679documents. And on Monday, July 7, the agency fielded 16,4192680calls and answered 2,613 of them, which is only 15.9 percent.2681That is shown by official documents. And FEMA officials were2682incredibly frustrated by the lapse in those contracts, and it2683was taking days for Ms. Noem to act.2684    A little while ago you said that part of your job, you2685felt, was to remove--you called them bureaucratic--closing out2686bureaucratic procedures. To me, having someone, one person2687only, having to sign off on every contract of $100,000 or more2688is the definition of bureaucracy. And in this case, it led to2689thousands of victims not having their calls answered by their2690Government. Their Government wasn't there when they reached out2691for help in their darkest hour.2692    So, are those numbers fake? Are you telling me that those2693are fake numbers, or are they verifiable and did Ms. Noem2694misspeak when she said that it was fake news?2695    Mr. Richardson. What I can tell you is the vast majority of2696phone calls were answered. There was never a lapse in the2697contract.2698    Secretary Noem, under her leadership, she is concerned2699about due diligence and making sure the American people get2700what they deserve----2701    Ms. Friedman [interrupting]. So, in your mind----2702    Mr. Richardson [continuing]. With their tax dollars.2703    Ms. Friedman [continuing]. 15.9 percent of calls being2704answered is the vast majority? That is the vast--that is your--2705so is that the benchmark now we are looking for, for FEMA to2706answer their calls, 15 percent or, in one case, 35 percent in a2707day in the middle of this disaster, this huge disaster?2708    Mr. Richardson. I would have to agree with Secretary Noem.2709That is fake news. The majority of the calls were answered.2710There was never a lapse in contract.2711    Ms. Friedman. Well, that is absolutely not what the reports2712from these companies of the disaster say. They give specific2713numbers of calls that went unanswered, and I don't see how you2714can deny these reports.2715    But I will yield my time back.2716    Mr. Perry. The Chair thanks the gentlelady. The Chair now2717recognizes Representative Onder from the State of Missouri.2718    Dr. Onder. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, thank you, Mr.2719Richardson, for being here with us today.2720    Missouri experienced severe storms and flash flooding2721earlier this year on May 23, and we didn't receive a disaster2722declaration until last night. My constituents were frustrated2723by how long it takes to get temporary housing and debris2724removal assistance support from FEMA. Why does it take so long2725to make these determinations, and what is being done to cut the2726time to get help in these situations?2727    Mr. Richardson. So when the determinations come in, we2728review them. We work with the regions, primarily.2729    As far as specifics of each one of the declarations, I2730would like to get back to you. I will go back home, look into2731it, I will figure it out and I will come back to you and give2732you any specific details, because I think you are looking for2733specific information in a certain declaration, correct?2734    Dr. Onder. Yes, or what is the process of issuing these2735declarations.2736    Mr. Richardson. The declarations come in, there is a set of2737criteria, and then we make a recommendation on that criteria.2738    Once again, it is eligibility-based, so there is criteria2739and we have to take a look at the criteria and make sure--for2740example, from the first second I found out about the horrific2741events in Texas, I got on the phone, and I was speaking to the2742emergency manager there. And we were talking about how the2743declaration was going to come in, how it was going to be2744crafted. So there is some pre-work that is done--right in the2745middle of the disaster, normally--and then there is some2746administrative work that needs to be done at the regional2747level. And then it comes to FEMA.2748    But it is normally worked out very early, if they meet the2749criteria or not, because we all kind of have a pretty good idea2750of what it is, and then we've got to get it down on paper. And2751that is what I spent a lot of time on the 4th of July--or2752really, the 4th and the 5th with Nim Kidd, because theirs came2753in, I believe it was just after midnight on Sunday, so it came2754in very quickly from Texas. And then the criteria, we took it2755and we turned that around within just a couple hours.2756    Dr. Onder. Very good. And you emphasized the need to cut2757redtape and remove cumbersome processes to speed up disaster2758recovery. Can you walk us through specific internal FEMA2759policies or procedures that you have streamlined to speed up2760delivery of assistance?2761    Mr. Richardson. Yes, so one of the things that I recognized2762immediately--and part of it was due from being the Assistant2763Secretary at CWMD prior, part of it was doing mission analysis.2764What I discovered is there were three or four contract shops2765around FEMA. So we consolidated that, okay, because that makes2766it a lot faster. If you consolidate, you have got the same2767people, you are keeping track.2768    And then the other thing we do is we make sure that we have2769got a team that tees those contracts up for me to sign, and we2770have certain ones that have to come to me. So what we have done2771is we have reduced the number of hands, so to speak, that touch2772those. We also consolidate it so we know where they all are2773exactly. So it is actually working pretty good now, and that is2774what we have done.2775    Dr. Onder. And you have said that FEMA needs to return2776primacy to the States. For States like Missouri, what would2777that look like? What kind of shift in operational authority and2778flexibility to State and local managers might we see?2779    Mr. Richardson. Well, it wouldn't necessarily be--it2780probably has to do more with training and coordination. So, the2781coordination is the key piece, how the coordination is done.2782    One of the challenges that FEMA has is when the region2783comes into the State, even though we run TTXs all the time--I2784think I was involved in at least seven or eight TTXs, all the2785way from Guam to the Virgin Islands--and one of the things I2786talked to the folks in the after action about was what gaps in2787capability they had.2788    So, if the States can become adept at identifying their2789gaps, and if they can communicate that to the region, that is2790part of it. So, they know what their shortfalls are, they have2791pre-identified them so that we can pre-position assets. That is2792the key. And the State--once again, States like Texas are kind2793of a model, and they did that very well, as demonstrated in the2794events of the flood.2795    Dr. Onder. Very good. Thank you.2796    I yield back.2797    Mr. Perry. The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair now2798recognizes Representative Figures.2799    Mr. Figures. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you, Mr.2800Richardson, for being here with us today.2801    I represent the Second Congressional District of Alabama,2802which begins in Mobile. It is where I am from, where I was2803born, where I was raised. And with the exception of probably2804Congressman Ezell from Mississippi, I don't know that there is2805another member on this committee that has actually been through2806more FEMA-responded disasters from hurricanes throughout the2807entirety of my life. So, it is important to me that FEMA is2808ready, is prepared, because it is not a matter of if we get hit2809by a hurricane, it is a matter of when we get hit, and how2810severe the damage will be, and what FEMA's role will have to be2811in responding to that.2812    We are approaching the 20-year anniversary of Katrina, and2813a lot of focus on Katrina is on New Orleans, but there was an2814entire realm of the east side of that storm that decimated2815parts of Mississippi and Alabama, as well. And so, this is a2816time where people are focused on some negative history as it2817relates to FEMA and FEMA's response.2818    And as I sit here, the question that I just have to ask--2819because if we get hit by a hurricane or when we get hit by a2820hurricane--and fortunately, there is not a bad response, but if2821there is a bad response from FEMA, I don't want to sit here and2822the answer is, ``I am sorry.'' I don't want you to be sorry. I2823want you to be careful. I want you to be prepared. I want you2824to be ready.2825    So, in light of what just happened in Texas, where a family2826of five from Mobile--a grandfather, a grandmother, their son,2827his wife, and their 5-year-old daughter--were camping there in2828the Hill Country, and all of them, with the exception of their2829son, died--and so, this is something that is resonating in my2830district right now. What is--and I am in no way insinuating2831that that was FEMA's fault, but what lessons have you learned2832in the response to Texas that you will apply going forward,2833particularly through this hurricane season?2834    Mr. Richardson. Thank you for your question.2835    So, a lesson learned from Texas is essentially how Texas2836had forces pre-positioned. For example, there are 28 national2837urban SAR units. One of them was in Texas. And it is not that2838it is a lesson learned, but what we did is we confirmed how2839effective that is. And under Secretary Noem's leadership, we2840also confirmed how effective it was for the Emergency2841Operations Center in Texas to be able to communicate with CBP,2842as well as Coast Guard. So all those DHS assets were already2843there. So pre-positioning is something that we have confirmed2844is a solid practice.2845    And I think one of my lessons learned--and I think this is2846an important one--obviously, communication. Nim Kidd and I were2847in communication, I was in communication with Secretary Noem.2848Coordination, pre-positioning, planning. But the lesson that I2849particularly learned was personal relationships. I had come to2850know the emergency manager in Texas, Nim Kidd, and it helped a2851lot. From the second I heard about the disaster, Nim and I----2852    Mr. Figures [interrupting]. Well, I don't want to cut you2853off, but I want to preserve my time. But is there anything you2854think FEMA did wrong in its response to the Texas floods that2855we can rectify and do differently next time?2856    Mr. Richardson. I can't see anything that we did wrong, and2857I think the President and the Secretary now acknowledge that,2858and so does Governor Abbott by saying how well we did.2859    So, what we would like to do is we would like to take the2860strengths that we did in Texas, and we are going to share them2861with other States, and we will work on them in tabletop2862exercises to make sure that they----2863    Mr. Figures [interrupting]. So is----2864    Mr. Richardson [continuing]. Do it as well as Texas.2865    Mr. Figures [continuing]. Is it your testimony here today2866that FEMA's response to the Texas flood was--it was a perfect2867game, it was perfect?2868    Mr. Richardson. Well, nothing is perfect. However, I will2869say that it was a model, particularly at FEMA, the region, and2870the State level, that continuity, it was a model of how2871disasters should be handled. And that is thanks to the2872President's guidance, the Secretary's guidance, Governor2873Abbott, the State Emergency Operations Center in Texas, the2874emergency manager, as well as the region 6 manager.2875    Mr. Figures. Well, one thing I would encourage is it is2876important to see leadership there on the ground when it2877happens. So, if this happens in Mobile, we certainly want to2878see you on the ground, certainly within a reasonable time of2879when it happens.2880    The last thing I will say is I know notice of fundings for2881FEMA grants just went out, or are in the process of going out,2882the Notice of Funding Opportunities, but they are 68 days late.2883And so, my concern is making sure that you guys have the2884resources and the commitment to actually review the incoming2885applications in a manner where we will not end up in an2886excessively delayed state when it comes time to actually2887awarding the funding opportunities.2888    And with that, I yield back.2889    Thank you, Mr. Richardson.2890    Mr. Perry. The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair now2891recognizes Representative Fong from California.2892    Mr. Fong. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you,2893Administrator, for being here and for your leadership. A few2894questions.2895    I represent a lot of rural communities in the Central2896Valley of California. We have been dealing with floods and2897fires for a very long time. The Borel Fire recently was the2898largest fire that ever hit Kern County, and I was wondering.2899Rural communities have a challenge of capacity. And of course,2900coming from a large State, a lot of times the per capita2901indicator doesn't help rural communities. I was wondering, from2902your perspective, have there been conversations about creating2903a county-level or a ZIP Code-level threshold so that resources2904can go help these communities rebuild?2905    Mr. Richardson. Could you repeat the last part of the2906question again?2907    Mr. Fong. Is there a way to help communities, rural2908communities, rebuild when the tragedies and the fires and the2909floods, they don't hit the major disaster declaration?2910    Are you guys looking at ways to adjust the per capita2911indicator to allow for more rural community rebuilding after a2912disaster?2913    Mr. Richardson. So, I got your question, thank you for the2914question.2915    So the question is about rural areas and meeting the2916threshold. What I will say to that is that--and I don't want to2917get ahead of the FEMA Review Council, but the President wants2918for the country better emergency management. And it is2919reasonable to believe that that piece that you are just2920speaking to would be a part of that, because as--I don't2921personally come from a rural community, but my parents come2922from a rural community, and I spent a lot of time in rural2923communities. My best friend is a hog farmer in eastern North2924Carolina. I know what rural communities are. So, it is2925reasonable that that would be considered in something in the2926future, yes.2927    Mr. Fong. Sure. I would certainly love to partner with you2928on that and your council. It is in an area where rural2929communities just don't have the capacity when a fire hits,2930significant impact to that community. And they may need2931resources, but they just may not hit the threshold of a major2932disaster declaration, and so we want to ensure that we2933rightsize the response.2934    Mr. Richardson. You have my commitment that I will engage2935with you, and we can kind of look at it and get your ideas.2936    Mr. Fong. Thank you very much. I want to follow up from the2937questions that my colleague from Utah asked.2938    We also dealt with floods. My community in Tulare County2939had to endure and to kind of front a lot of the resources to2940help rebuild. FEMA has a somewhat--before you--more of a2941complicated, complex assistance work through the complexity of2942the assistance programs. Is there a way to simplify the2943reimbursement process and maybe expand the advanced payments2944process to help rebuild roads, rebuild bridges that may have2945been washed away from, like, a flood?2946    Mr. Richardson. So, once again, thanks for your question.2947And when my team did the mission analysis when we first came2948aboard, it was kind of phase 1 of the mission analysis. And now2949we are breaking down each one of the mission-essential tasks.2950Now we are getting to those things you are talking about right2951now. And once again, I will share that with you when the time2952comes.2953    Mr. Fong. Sure, and your team has been very helpful since2954the new administration has come in, I think, kind of working2955through the complexity. So I think you are going to hear a lot2956from a lot of the rural areas. Small communities, they don't2957have the technical assistance capacity to work through2958everything. And the back and forth constantly adds as a layer2959of bureaucracy that maybe we can cut through.2960    Mr. Richardson. Yes, it is a very important issue.2961    Mr. Fong. And then, in terms of incentivizing investments2962to mitigate before disaster strikes, has FEMA and your team2963looked at how to better incentivize investments in areas of2964limited resources?2965    Mr. Richardson. We are working on that now. This will be2966part of the discussion, the wider discussion that we can have,2967if you give me some time on that.2968    Mr. Fong. Perfect. And I just want to extend an invitation2969for you to come to my community. We would roll out the red2970carpet for you if you ever come to California.2971    And with that, I yield back.2972    Mr. Richardson. I would love to come.2973    Mr. Perry. The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair now2974recognizes the gentleman from California, Mr. Garamendi.2975    Mr. Garamendi. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.2976    This committee has for a long time been concerned about2977FEMA, the way it runs and operates. There have been major2978efforts by the committee as a whole and by the subcommittee. I2979am thinking back on much of the work done by Mr. Graves before2980he left Congress.2981    Going forward, the question of whether FEMA is going to2982survive or not remains open. In the first week in office, Mr.2983Trump, President Trump, talked openly about getting rid of2984FEMA. In March, Secretary Noem said, we are going to eliminate2985FEMA. In June, Trump said FEMA could be eliminated as soon as2986December, saying he wanted to wean off FEMA and bring it back2987to the State level. It is not just those words--which are not2988fake news, by the way--it is also what has actually happened.2989One-third of the staff at FEMA has been eliminated in the DOGE2990process.2991    So, there are serious concerns, at least by me and I2992suspect by other members of the committee, about the future of2993FEMA. Is it even going to exist? Can you commit to us today2994that FEMA will exist in the future, will be able to carry out2995its functions under the law and under the needs of this Nation,2996or do you not know?2997    Mr. Richardson. Thank you for the question. What I could2998commit to is that the President wants a better emergency2999management for the American people, and that is a noble goal.3000The President is a noble man, and that is what he wants. He3001wants a better emergency management capability.3002    Mr. Garamendi. Does that mean FEMA is gone and there will3003be something new and different?3004    Mr. Richardson. So, in his wisdom, and with Secretary Noem3005and Secretary Hegseth as guide, the President has appointed a3006FEMA Review Council, okay, that is going to give him3007recommendations.3008    Mr. Garamendi. So, the answer is blowing in the wind. We do3009not know and you cannot confirm that it is the policy of the3010administration to maintain FEMA. I understand that. Let me move3011along here.3012    One-third of your staff is gone, 2,000 employees have3013departed for multiple reasons. Some of them fired, others of3014them taking early retirement.3015    It took 9 days for you to arrive in Texas following the3016disaster there. Is that the normal going forward? It took 33017days for your team to arrive, 9 days for you to arrive. Is that3018the new normal?3019    Mr. Richardson. So, as I promised the people of Texas, they3020would get what they needed, on time and on target. And I talked3021to the emergency manager in Texas, and I asked him, ``What is3022the best thing I can do for you?''3023    And he said, ``Remain on the ground and make sure that we3024get what we need on time.'' So, I remained in Washington, DC--3025--3026    Mr. Garamendi [interrupting]. So--okay.3027    Mr. Richardson [continuing]. Kicking down the doors of3028bureaucracy.3029    Mr. Garamendi. I got it.3030    Mr. Richardson. That is where I remained.3031    Mr. Garamendi. So, the top leadership of FEMA is not3032expected to respond to emergencies across the Nation. Instead,3033you are going to remain in your offices here in Washington, DC.3034I got it.3035    Mr. Richardson. I did go to Texas, and I went to Texas to3036confirm with the people of Texas that I had delivered on my3037promise.3038    Mr. Garamendi. We will see if that delivery is real or not.3039    The next series of questions has to do with disaster3040mitigation--that is, getting ahead of the disaster. You just3041heard from Mr. Fong about his request for funding to reduce the3042fire risks in his area. Certainly, that exists in my area, in3043the bay area. However, that program was terminated. Even though3044it was started in 2018 by President Trump in his first term, it3045is now eliminated.3046    So, is it the policy of FEMA to rebuild that program to get3047ahead of the disasters and to fund disaster mitigation before3048it happens? What is the policy of the Department?3049    Mr. Richardson. You are speaking of the building3050resilience, correct?3051    Mr. Garamendi. That is correct.3052    Mr. Richardson. So, it was started in 2018, but under the3053Trump administration, that program began to be used for things3054like bike paths and shade at bus stops.3055    Mr. Garamendi. So, instead of eliminating----3056    Mr. Richardson [interrupting]. That is----3057    Mr. Garamendi [interrupting]. So, instead of dealing with3058those specific, rather small funding programs, you decided to3059eliminate this entire program. Is that correct?3060    Mr. Richardson. Well, that program, BRIC, is under3061litigation. I can tell you about the past, but I can't tell you3062anything about the future for that program. But it was being3063used for bike paths----3064    Mr. Garamendi [interrupting]. That is not the question.3065What is the future? Is the BRIC program--it is terminated. Is3066it the intention of FEMA to restart it, or are we simply not3067going to pay attention to an effort to reduce the potential for3068a disaster? What is----3069    Mr. Richardson [interrupting]. So, resilience is a top3070priority of FEMA. But that program, once again, there is3071litigation surrounding that program, and I am not at liberty to3072speak of it.3073    Mr. Perry. The gentleman's----3074    Mr. Garamendi [interrupting]. We don't----3075    Mr. Perry [continuing]. Time has expired. The Chair thanks3076the gentleman.3077    Mr. Garamendi. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.3078    Mr. Perry. The Chair now recognizes Representative Rouzer3079from North Carolina.3080    Mr. Rouzer. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.3081    And Mr. Richardson, thank you for your service. It is not3082an easy job that you have, by any means, but a very, very3083important job. Just to finish that line of questioning--or your3084answer, rather, you mentioned BRIC, the BRIC program was3085funding bicycle paths, and then what else? You got cut off. I3086was just curious what else you were going to say.3087    Mr. Richardson. So, there were bicycle paths, it was trees3088surrounding bus stops. These grants have been used for a lot of3089rather--what I would call--odd things. For example, we put3090people up in the Roosevelt Hotel, or illegal immigrants up in3091the Roosevelt Hotel with some of the grants. That wasn't3092necessarily a wise thing to do. We also have funded projects3093that made DEI ambassadors for the New York City Police3094Department.3095    Mr. Rouzer. Yes, so, not exactly mitigation efforts.3096    Mr. Richardson. Right. During the Biden administration, it3097seems like there--a lot of the grants sound good, and then you3098dig into them, and they are not so good. I have got a note here3099on a handful of them, but--so yes, if you are housing folks in3100the--or illegal aliens in the Roosevelt Hotel, that is probably3101not the best use----3102    Mr. Rouzer [interposing]. Yes.3103    Mr. Richardson [continuing]. Of the American taxpayers'3104money.3105    Mr. Rouzer. Yes, okay.3106    Mr. Richardson. It looks good on the surface, but when you3107get into it, it's not.3108    Mr. Rouzer. I got the answer there. Let me move on to my3109questions before I run out of time.3110    So, the Review Council, when does FEMA anticipate the3111Review Council will finalize and share its recommendations for3112Congress, do you have an idea of a timeline on that?3113    Mr. Richardson. The FEMA Review Council is working now. And3114there is--in the late fall, I believe that is when they plan to3115give their recommendation to the President.3116    Mr. Rouzer. Thank you for that.3117    Hurricanes Matthew and Florence, they affected my district3118pretty significantly. Matthew was in 2016, Hurricane Florence3119was in 2018. In 2018, Brock Long was the Administrator. And I3120have to say in both of those storms, the FEMA response was3121very, very good. But we still have--those cases are still open,3122they have not yet closed. In other words, there is still need3123there. There is still reimbursement that is waiting to be3124signed--or I am not sure where it is in the bureaucratic3125process. And of course, those storms were 7 and 9 years ago,3126respectively.3127    Can--or let me just put it this way--can you get me a3128report on exactly what is left to be finished up on as it3129relates to those two storms? Not right now, but soon after this3130hearing, when you can?3131    Mr. Richardson. Yes, thank you for the question. Each day,3132I get a snapshot of the open disaster claims, and it is3133shocking to see how many of them are still open. And no doubt,3134we need to reduce the number of open declarations. And yes, I3135can get back with you, and I would be happy to get back with3136you on that.3137    Mr. Rouzer. Yes. Is that an issue of resources, or3138administrative time, or what is the holdup there? Or regulatory3139burden of some sort?3140    Mr. Richardson. My gut feeling is it is just how it has3141developed over time. Probably at one point, a handful of people3142touched it, and by this point, there are many more people than3143necessary to touch that.3144    Mr. Rouzer. Okay, one last thing, Hurricane Helene. It3145didn't hit my district, but it did hit my friend and colleague,3146Chuck Edwards and Virginia Foxx, really, really hard, their3147districts in western North Carolina. Obviously, you have--and3148every storm is different, every locale is different. In western3149North Carolina you have a lot of private roads. FEMA3150traditionally doesn't help out with private roads, but if those3151private roads don't get rebuilt, you can't get debris and other3152items that are necessary for recovery. And I think that has3153been one of the big issues for western North Carolina.3154    Chuck Edwards had tried to get some clarifying language3155included as part of the CR. That didn't work out. But3156flexibility in terms of addressing need--because, again, not3157every place is the same--I think is crucially important. Is3158that a line of thought that you all are pursuing at all?3159    Mr. Richardson. The question involves private roads, and3160thank you for the question again. Right, private roads are an3161issue, particularly, for some reason, in North Carolina. And we3162are working for a way where we can resolve that, and try to3163provide a resolution to that. And I will keep in contact with3164you and make sure you kind of stay abreast of that.3165    Mr. Rouzer. Well, until that aspect is handled, it is just3166hard for that area to make any kind of substantial recovery.3167That is the bottom line. And it is somewhat unique to western3168North Carolina, which speaks to the need for flexibility when3169you are dealing with these disasters and response.3170    Mr. Richardson. My heart goes out to the people of North3171Carolina and that whole region, Tennessee, western Virginia,3172that had to suffer that tragedy.3173    Mr. Rouzer. Thank you, sir.3174    I yield back.3175    Mr. Perry. The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair now3176recognizes Representative Gillen.3177    Ms. Gillen. Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you,3178Mr. Richardson, for being here today.3179    So, as Acting Administrator of FEMA, you oversee the3180agency's preparedness grants, including the Nonprofit Security3181Grant Program. And as I am sure you are aware, synagogues,3182churches, yeshivas, and many other houses of worship across our3183country, and certainly in my district on the South Shore of3184Long Island, rely on these grants to keep their congregants,3185their worshipers, and our residents safe.3186    And right now, we are facing a huge spike in antisemitism3187and other threats, and these critical grants are more important3188than ever for my constituents and, I am sure, for many other3189folks across the country. And I am grateful that FEMA recently3190awarded some of the emergency supplemental funding that was3191allocated for fiscal year 2024. However, the agency still has3192not opened applications for fiscal year 2025 funding which3193Congress had approved back in March.3194    So, Mr. Richardson, fiscal year 2025 is coming to a close3195soon, and synagogues and houses of worship, churches in my3196district are wondering when you might open the application for3197the fiscal year 2025 Nonprofit Security Grant Program so we can3198make this $275 million available for this really important need3199in my district and across the country.3200    Mr. Richardson. Yes, and thank you for the question, and I3201believe those grants are very, very important. And we have3202spent a lot of time in the last couple of months moving forward3203and doing due diligence on those.3204    But I do have good news there. There are NOFOs going--I3205can't speak to that grant specifically, but there are NOFOs3206going out as we speak.3207    Ms. Gillen. Okay, great. And can my office follow up with3208you about these specific grants? Because they are so important3209in my district.3210    Mr. Richardson. Please do. And one of the things we want to3211do is we want to make sure we get those notice of fundings out3212so the districts have a chance to apply and get back with us.3213So yes, please do.3214    Ms. Gillen. Okay, great. And also with respect to these3215grants, I have heard from a lot of pastors and rabbis that the3216funding is okay to be used for infrastructure, but not actually3217for personnel. And so, a lot of our synagogues and houses of3218worship are looking to expand the scope of appropriate uses for3219this funding to include perhaps security personnel to stand3220guard at the synagogues, particularly during the High Holy Days3221or during worship services. And is that something that we could3222work with your office on to try to maybe expand the scope of3223funding?3224    Mr. Richardson. Yes, I understand the question. Thank you3225for the question. Yes, please do. I need to look into the3226details of the grant, but I am sure there is some way we can3227work around that.3228    Ms. Gillen. Okay, great. Thank you. And finally, in May,3229FEMA opened applications for fiscal year 2024 SAFER grants to3230help hire, recruit, and retain firefighters. And I wrote to3231fire departments across my district, encouraging them to apply3232for these grants, and I am really pleased that the Oceanside3233Fire Department in my district, which operates with volunteer3234service members, put together a really strong application for3235funding to help them recruit and train new volunteer3236firefighters to keep their community safe. And I wrote you a3237letter in support of their application, and I would appreciate3238the opportunity to get in touch with your office again.3239    Can you commit to working to follow up on this issue also3240with me after this hearing?3241    Mr. Richardson. Sure, and thanks once again. I think I3242replied to the letter, but yes, I would be happy to speak with3243you.3244    Ms. Gillen. Great. Thank you so much, Mr. Richardson.3245    I yield back.3246    Mr. Perry. The Chair thanks the gentlelady. The Chair now3247recognizes Representative Kiley.3248    Mr. Kiley of California. Thank you, Mr. Chair.3249    Thanks for being here today, Mr. Richardson. I would like3250to talk with you briefly about a very simple action that the3251President and FEMA could take that would come at a relatively3252modest cost, would make an enormous difference for many people3253in my district, and would reverse an enormous wrong committed3254by President Joe Biden. It relates to the Caldor Fire, which3255you might be familiar with.3256    The Caldor Fire was one of the biggest fires in California3257history. It was in 2021, and you might remember the images that3258were really surreal of the ski slopes that were on fire and3259were ablaze. The blaze came very close to actually destroying3260the entire town of South Tahoe, which I represent. Fortunately,3261there was legislation that had created a categorical exclusion3262for fire mitigation that had allowed for a firebreak to be3263created, and we were able to stop it from going into South3264Tahoe. But folks in the community of Grizzly Flats were not so3265fortunate. Hundreds of homes there were destroyed in 2021.3266    The fire was so massive that Joe Biden actually came and3267visited shortly after, and did a tour in a helicopter, and then3268he made a promise to the victims in Grizzly Flats that he was3269going to help, that the Federal Government would support them.3270He said it was a Federal responsibility.3271    He then broke that promise. Joe Biden's FEMA denied3272Individual Assistance to the victims of the Caldor Fire in3273Grizzly Flats on multiple occasions. I spoke with the President3274about it personally, and he said he wanted to correct the3275wrong. He never did. And so, these folks now, several years3276later, many continue to suffer with the rebuilding process.3277Many are still just camped out in RVs or trailers on their3278property, and they still have not received the Individual3279Assistance that they are entitled to.3280    So, FEMA under President Biden, as I mentioned, denied this3281multiple times. But the President has the authority to grant3282the assistance himself. And, in fact, President Trump did this3283during his first term for multiple wildfires in California. So,3284my question is, is this something that you might be able to3285look into and talk with the President about to finally get the3286victims of the fire, of the Caldor Fire, the victims in Grizzly3287Flats the Individual Assistance they deserve?3288    Mr. Richardson. Yes, I can go both ways on that. I can talk3289to--and thank you for the question--I can talk to region 10,3290Bob Fenton, and I can also reach out to the White House, find3291out where the delta is, and then get back to you with the3292potential way forward.3293    Mr. Kiley of California. I really appreciate that, and I3294think that there is also room to look at the process by which3295these determinations are made within FEMA, because one of the3296things, for example, that they used in their analysis, even3297though there are bigger wildfires where folks have gotten the3298Individual Assistance, they, for example, looked at the income3299level in El Dorado County as a whole, which is where Grizzly3300Flats is, even though Grizzly Flats itself is not by any3301stretch of the imagination a wealthy area. But they counted the3302overall median income of the county against the people who lost3303their homes within this particular jurisdiction. There is a lot3304of arbitrary things like that that just don't make sense.3305    But at the end of the day, this is a promise that the3306President of the United States, Joe Biden, made to the people3307in our community and then he broke that promise. And I am3308really hopeful that the President, if he has the ability to do3309so, can right that wrong.3310    Mr. Richardson. I will reach out to region 9, I will reach3311out to region 10, and then I will be able to get back with you.3312    Mr. Kiley of California. Thank you very much, I appreciate3313it.3314    I yield back--I yield to the chair, in fact.3315    Mr. Perry. I thank the gentleman.3316    Regarding the issue of call time, I just want to reference3317the New York Times article which apparently was the source for3318the dispute over how many people actually received an answer on3319the call. And according to the article--it says according to a3320person briefed on the matter who spoke on the condition of3321anonymity. Now, like I have said before, we all have, I think,3322reasonable criticisms of and valid criticism of FEMA. But on3323this occasion, I just want to make sure we are not making3324judgments based on people that spoke on condition of anonymity.3325    And further, in the article, it says the agency did publish3326similar data on October 29, 2024, which I will remind everybody3327was during the last administration, during President Biden's3328administration, days after Hurricane Helene barreled across the3329South and nearly 3 weeks after Hurricane Milton hit Florida.3330That information showed the agency did not answer nearly half3331of the 507,766 incoming calls over the course of a week, E&E3332News reported.3333    With that having been said, Mr. Administrator, can you--3334like I said, I think we all want to level-set here. People on3335both sides of the aisle would like to know the efficacy of the3336call center and the response to people calling in for3337disasters. Can FEMA provide that information and the source of3338that information moving forward? Can we get a report on that so3339that we can know how well FEMA is performing in that paradigm?3340    Mr. Richardson. So, this is how I will answer that, Mr.3341Chairman. I think we can legally share that with you. I think3342we can, okay? I don't know for sure. But if we can, we will.3343    I do know that we surged support----3344    Mr. Perry [interrupting]. Yes, I understand.3345    Mr. Richardson [continuing]. To the call center.3346    Mr. Perry. I just--I think that both sides of the aisle3347would like, again, to level-set and know what that information3348is, and the source of that information. And if there is some3349reason that you can't do it legally, we would like to know3350that, as well, so that we can take whatever action is3351appropriate here in Congress.3352    Mr. Richardson. Yes.3353    Mr. Perry. All right, I thank----3354    Mr. Richardson [interrupting]. I will fully cooperate.3355    Mr. Perry [continuing]. I thank the gentleman. The Chair3356now recognizes the gentlelady, Representative Titus.3357    Ms. Titus. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.3358    Mr. Secretary, I would like to go back to the conversation3359about NOFOs. You mentioned it several times, said that3360information is out the door. That is good news, because some of3361these are months behind.3362    I am particularly interested in the UASI grants. That is3363the Urban Area Security Initiative grants, if you are familiar3364with that. Those are especially important in my district of3365southern Nevada, Las Vegas. We have a lot of events, large-3366scale events that might be subject to a terrorist attack or3367some other disaster. And we have seen how these grants have3368been very helpful. In fact, there was a report that showed3369where they made such a difference after the Harvest Festival3370shooting, which is still the largest shooting in American3371history. We've got the Super Bowl, the F1. I want to be sure3372those are going out the door. And if you will commit to3373checking on that and let me know so I can tell the first3374responders and all back home that that is coming.3375    Mr. Richardson. What I can commit to is that we have been3376doing due diligence on all of the grants, and we are getting3377the NOFOs out the door as we speak. So, we want to make sure we3378got the NOFOs out the door so that we have a chance to respond3379to them. I can't tell you--I can't necessarily tell you exactly3380which ones, but I can tell you that they are going out the door3381as we speak.3382    Ms. Titus. Okay, well, I am glad to hear that. I had led a3383letter to you about this with the Nevada delegation, trying to3384encourage this to happen. So, if your office will let me know3385if we are one of the ones that is going out the door, I would3386appreciate it.3387    Mr. Richardson. Yes, and I believe I responded to your3388letter, Representative Titus.3389    Ms. Titus. Well, thank you. We will look forward to getting3390that.3391    I also want to talk about another thing that is particular3392to my district and to the Southwest. I wonder if you are aware3393of which weather condition causes the most death in the United3394States.3395    Mr. Richardson. I don't know exactly which one causes the3396most. I have a hunch which direction you are going on this. I3397am not exactly sure.3398    Ms. Titus. Well, it's surprising. A lot of people wouldn't3399guess this. They would say tornadoes or floods or hurricanes,3400but it's not. It's extreme heat. Extreme heat causes more3401deaths, and it's less visible than some of these other3402disasters. It's harder to show on TV, it lasts longer. It3403impacts different people in different ways, but it is the3404largest cause of death.3405    And last year in southern Nevada alone, there were 5203406heat-related deaths, and we already have nearly 30 just in3407Clark County in my district already this year. So, I have been3408working on getting FEMA to recognize extreme heat, and be3409prepared to help communities deal with it, mitigate, recover,3410whatever. I am pleased that I am introducing a bill that is the3411Extreme Weather and Heat Response Modernization Act with our3412ranking member, so, Mr. Stanton. We introduced that in May, and3413it will empower FEMA to have more authority to help with this.3414    So, I wondered if you are aware of it, or if you would be3415willing to work with us to help us get this through so extreme3416heat can be recognized and addressed, because it's only going3417to get worse, it's not going to get better.3418    Mr. Richardson. Thank you, Representative.3419    I do know, and I will be glad to work with you, and then I3420do know that the Stafford Act does recognize heat. So, I am3421aware of the Stafford Act, recognize it, and I am willing to3422work with you.3423    Ms. Titus. I appreciate that. And it does recognize, but it3424is not--it's hard to get it declared and recognized formally3425because, like I said, it's not as easy to recognize as a flood3426that happens in 2 days, like in Texas. It's an extended3427problem. And it--like I said, it hurts different people in3428different ways, affects lives, and it affects livelihoods.3429    So, Mr. Stanton and I, I am sure, will appreciate your3430getting involved and helping us with that. Thank you.3431    I yield back.3432    Mr. Richardson. Thank you.3433    Mr. Perry. The Chair thanks the gentlewoman. The Chair now3434recognizes the Representative from Pennsylvania, Representative3435Bresnahan.3436    Mr. Bresnahan. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.3437    And thank you, Mr. Richardson, for being here. I represent3438northeastern Pennsylvania, which has been privy to flooding3439over the years dating back to 1972, slightly before my time.3440But still, as I drive around with my family, my grandmother,3441she will occasionally point to different areas about how high3442the water actually was.3443    And then back to 2011, northeastern Pennsylvania saw some3444flooding in an area outside of a levee system which totally3445decimated a community, ultimately redrawing the flood maps and3446making it extremely challenging for various different3447homeowners to be able to get flood insurance, and created some3448additional strains on the school districts.3449    So, actually back to 2021, we also saw a flood that3450actually claimed the lives of at least one person in Lackawanna3451County. And this past May, the city of Scranton was finally3452able to complete 40 projects totaling $5.5 million to improve 83453waterways and infrastructure damaged by severe flooding in3454August of 2018.3455    In April, I sent a letter to then-Acting Administrator3456Hamilton asking for the BRIC program to be reinstated. And Mr.3457Chairman, I ask for unanimous consent to enter that letter into3458the record.3459    Mr. Perry. Without objection, so ordered.3460    [The information follows:]34613462     Letter of April 9, 2025, to Cameron Hamilton, Senior Official3463    Performing the Duties of FEMA Administrator, Federal Emergency3464 Management Agency, from Hon. Robert P. Bresnahan, Jr., Submitted for3465              the Record by Hon. Robert P. Bresnahan, Jr.3466                     Congress of the United States,3467                                House of Representatives,3468                                     Washington, DC 20515-3808,3469                                                   April 9, 2025.3470Mr. Cameron Hamilton,3471Senior Official Performing the Duties of FEMA Administrator,3472500 C Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024.3473    Dear Acting Administrator Hamilton:3474    As the Congressman for Pennsylvania's Eighth Congressional3475District, I am writing to express my opposition to FEMA's recent3476announcement it would cancel the Building Resilient Infrastructure and3477Communities (BRIC) program and cancel all applications from fiscal3478years 2020-2023. This decision is detrimental to my constituents, and I3479strongly urge you to reverse this decision.3480    The city of Scranton, PA was awaiting $2.5 million for buyouts of348121 flood-prone properties (18 homes and 3 lots) that were destroyed by3482flash floods on September 9, 2023. The city had lined up its 25% match3483of $849,000 to work with FEMA to purchase and remove these properties.3484City officials worked diligently with the Pennsylvania Emergency3485Management Agency, and in July 2024, the city's BRIC application passed3486its initial Federal review. Now, the city is left holding the bag to3487come up with this $2.5 million to buy out these properties to create3488floodplain restoration and infrastructure. City officials have said the3489buyout of these properties is important to city public safety and3490future cost savings.\1\3491---------------------------------------------------------------------------3492    \1\ Scranton Times-Tribune, ``Scranton: FEMA funding cut erases3493$2.5M for 21 flood buyouts in city,'' April 8, 2024, https://3494www.thetimes-tribune.com/2025/04/08/scranton-fema-funding-cut-erases-2-34955m-for-21-flood-buyouts-in-city/3496---------------------------------------------------------------------------3497    The BRIC program was established in 2018 during President Donald J.3498Trump's first administration. It was designed to support states, local,3499and territorial governments, and Tribal Nations as they work to reduce3500their hazard risk. FEMA's own website states that, ``The BRIC program3501aims to categorically shift the federal focus away from reactive3502disaster spending and toward proactive investment in community3503resilience.\2\''3504---------------------------------------------------------------------------3505    \2\ FEMA, ``Summary of FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA)3506Programs,'' May 29, 2024, https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/summary-fema-3507hazard-mitigation-assistance-hma-programs3508---------------------------------------------------------------------------3509    This program is a hand-up, not a hand-out, to at-risk communities3510who have suffered catastrophic weather events. This includes my3511district and Northeastern Pennsylvania. The September 9, 2023 floods3512caused nearly $25 million in damage and destroyed 459 residences.3513Unfortunately, FEMA denied Governor Josh Shapiro's request for an3514emergency disaster declaration \3\.3515---------------------------------------------------------------------------3516    \3\ Fox 56 WOLF, ``FEMA denies Pennsylvania's disaster appeal for3517September floods,'' March 21, 2024, https://fox56.com/news/local/fema-3518denies-pennsylvanias-disaster-appeal-for-september-floods3519---------------------------------------------------------------------------3520    The median household income of my district is $61,000. Sadly, the3521tax base for a number of municipalities in my district is not always3522sufficient to complete buyout programs without Federal assistance. I3523strongly believe that disaster efforts are locally executed, state led,3524and federally coordinated. In cases where communities cannot bear the3525full cost of property purchases, programs like BRIC are not wasteful,3526but well within the purview of federal coordination of disaster relief3527efforts.3528    President Trump and his Administration have promised not to leave3529the forgotten men and women of America behind. My district and3530Northeastern Pennsylvania have been left behind for the last half3531century. The BRIC program has, and can continue to, support communities3532like those in my district. I urge you in the strongest possible manner3533to revive this program. I also reiterate the February 24, 20253534invitation I extended to you to visit my district and Northeastern3535Pennsylvania to see firsthand the importance of the BRIC program.3536            Sincerely,3537                                        Rob Bresnahan, Jr.,3538                                                Member of Congress.35393540    Mr. Bresnahan. Thank you.3541    My question would be, I have heard some evolution relating3542to the BRIC program, and there were a few different programs--3543actually, levee projects--that were slated to take place inside3544of my district. And unfortunately, because of the cancellation3545of the BRIC program, about $10 million of levee construction3546was, unfortunately, canceled, as well as another $2.5 million3547in the city of Scranton for buyouts for properties that were3548ravaged by that earlier flooding that I mentioned.3549    My question would be, have you given any thought or has3550there been any dialogue relating or circulating around the BRIC3551program, or the possible reinstatement of the BRIC program, or3552something to the likes or similarity of it?3553    Mr. Richardson. So, thank you for the question, and a bit3554on BRIC first.3555    As I think you might have alluded to, BRIC originally was3556during 2018 during the Trump 45. And then it went into the3557Biden administration, and, kind of, BRIC went off the rails,3558and it went off the rails because we were funding things like3559bus stops and bike paths. So, right now, it is under3560litigation. And so, I can't really speak about it.3561    But what I can tell you is that resilience is a priority3562for me, and it is a priority for FEMA. So, even though the BRIC3563program is under litigation, resilience is important and a top3564priority for me. And I would like to stay engaged with you on3565that regarding BRIC--I mean regarding resilience.3566    Mr. Bresnahan. I really appreciate that, and I will use3567this as an opportunity to invite you to northeastern3568Pennsylvania and see some of the communities that have,3569unfortunately, suffered dire consequences because of flooding3570where levees were never even projected. Some of these areas3571never even had received water in 1972 that ended up being3572decimated in 2011 just because of different dynamics and3573landscapes with--inside of the river.3574    But I definitely want to continue to stay in touch, work3575together on some different systems and solutions for my3576community, so, I appreciate you being here.3577    I yield back.3578    Mr. Perry. The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair now3579recognizes Representative Hoyle.3580    Ms. Hoyle of Oregon. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you,3581Mr. Richardson, for joining us today.3582    I represent the central and south coast of Oregon, a very3583beautiful place, and my constituents have been pummeled by3584increasingly severe weather due to climate change. So, whether3585it is fire or floods or heat domes or ice storm, these extreme3586weather events that we have not experienced before make it so3587that my communities and constituents have suffered greatly, and3588they aren't prepared.3589    So, I will echo my colleague, Mr. Garamendi, and my3590colleague from Pennsylvania in stressing the importance of the3591BRIC grant program, because I want to--I agree with you. We3592have to make sure our tax dollars are used efficiently, and3593well, and not in a wasteful manner. But, like, Port Orford,3594this is a coastal rural community in Curry County, Oregon, that3595just had millions of dollars for water infrastructure upgrades3596eliminated, even though they had already been allocated. So,3597they have to stop this project. That is not a bus stop, that is3598not DEI. This is absolutely critical.3599    So, I would encourage--I would love to work with you to see3600how we can move forward, because now they are in limbo, and3601there is just no other way for them to go forward without3602Federal assistance.3603    And I also would like to express my gratitude because last3604night, FEMA approved Public Assistance of $9 million to address3605public infrastructure for damage that happens because of3606floods.3607    But there are hundreds of families who are still waiting3608for Federal support to put their lives back together. These3609people were advised not to get flood insurance, because the3610areas had never flooded before. So, the personal assistance--3611and even though it is like $800 to $2,000, these communities3612are almost $20,000 less than the median income. That $800 to3613$2,000 will make all the difference in the world for them to3614get their lives back on track.3615    So, we still have--I don't want to play a blame game. There3616is no administration that has handled FEMA well. None. It is3617inefficient. You have people that are traumatized that have to3618go through bureaucratic processes. I still have 200 people3619upriver from me that are out of their homes from the 2020 Labor3620Day fires. We are waiting for reimbursement from FEMA from36212020, 2021, and every year since then. And the process is3622bureaucratic. We are so worried about someone not stealing a3623penny that we make these traumatized people go through too3624much.3625    So, again, I would love to work with you on how we can have3626this be more efficient and get aid directly to people and those3627tax dollars working. So, I have two questions.3628    It has been over 2 months since Oregon requested a disaster3629declaration for these floods. When can families expect a3630decision on Individual Assistance?3631    And secondly, is FEMA still considering changes to the3632Public Assistance thresholds that would cut off support for3633disasters like our floods in Oregon? Because that doesn't look3634like reform, it looks like an action that's going to, like,3635punch people while they are down.3636    So, those are my two questions.3637    Mr. Richardson. So, thank you for the questions. And3638flooding, by the way, is, as you know, the most costly disaster3639that we have.3640    Regarding the first question, which is--could you just real3641quick----3642    Ms. Hoyle of Oregon [interposing]. Sure.3643    Mr. Richardson [continuing]. Summarize the two questions? I3644am going to jot them down real quick.3645    Ms. Hoyle of Oregon. So, like, first question, how do we3646track and when can we expect a decision on----3647    Mr. Richardson [interposing]. Got it.3648    Ms. Hoyle of Oregon [continuing]. Individual Assistance? We3649got the Public Assistance, but--this Individual Assistance3650might, in the scope of a Federal budget, looks small, but it is3651massive----3652    Mr. Richardson [interposing]. Right.3653    Ms. Hoyle of Oregon [continuing]. Massive to my3654communities.3655    Mr. Richardson. So, all the declarations have been cleared.3656I was briefed on that this morning. So, they are all cleared at3657this point.3658    Ms. Hoyle of Oregon. So, even for the Individual3659Assistance?3660    Mr. Richardson. Yes, I believe so.3661    Ms. Hoyle of Oregon. Okay, we will----3662    Mr. Richardson [interrupting]. But--I was briefed on this3663this morning----3664    Ms. Hoyle of Oregon [continuing]. We will follow up with3665you.3666    Mr. Richardson [continuing]. So, I do believe that they3667were cleared yesterday.3668    Ms. Hoyle of Oregon. And then, is FEMA still considering3669changes to the Public Assistance threshold that would cut off3670support for disasters like our floods--our floods, our fires,3671the ice storms? I mean, these are not things we have suffered3672from before, and they are kind of smaller areas. So, we3673oftentimes just get overlooked.3674    Mr. Richardson. So, as--and I understand the question--as3675we currently stand, they remain the same. However, the future3676of FEMA is going to be determined by the council. So, that3677would be forthcoming, depending on what the council decides to3678recommend to the President.3679    Ms. Hoyle of Oregon. Okay. And then finally, I will just3680say again, please do not throw the baby out with the bath3681water. Do not eliminate and completely take out the BRIC3682programs, because it is really, really important work that is3683done, and we need those dollars.3684    I get that we can disagree, or you can say you don't think3685this is the way money should be spent. But water infrastructure3686and resilience are critical, and that is something in a3687bipartisan way we should agree that our Federal dollars should3688be pointed towards. So, thank you so much.3689    Mr. Richardson. Thank you.3690    Mr. Perry. The Chair thanks the gentlewoman. The Chair now3691recognizes Representative Carbajal.3692    Mr. Carbajal. Thank you, Mr. Chair.3693    Thank you, Mr. Richardson, for being here.3694    I want to start by reminding all of us why these Federal3695dollars exist in the first place: to support the American3696people when they need it the most. These funds are meant to3697help communities prepare for the worst and respond quickly when3698disasters strike.3699    Mr. Richardson, you say you have stayed in Washington3700during the recent disaster to kick down the doors of3701bureaucracy. But for the central coast and for many communities3702across the country, FEMA delays in reimbursements have had real3703consequences. Contractors, cities, counties are forced to front3704the cost of emergency response and recovery, straining local3705budgets and slowing down rebuilding efforts. Yet, when it is3706time for the Federal Government to pay back local communities,3707it is holding funds rather than repaying its share. Why?3708Because Secretary Noem is now personally reviewing every FEMA3709grant contract over $100,000. This bureaucratic bottleneck is3710suffocating our communities.3711    I have heard from my constituents from the county of San3712Luis Obispo, the city of San Luis Obispo, the county of Santa3713Barbara, the county of Ventura, and various water districts3714throughout my district. They are not receiving the3715reimbursements that they are owed. Today, I want to focus my3716questions on these issues.3717    Mr. Richardson, what specific action is FEMA taking to3718clear these overdue reimbursements?3719    And how much longer will my constituents on the central3720coast have to wait?3721    Mr. Richardson. Thank you for your question.3722    So, the reimbursements and the bureaucratic nature of that3723is indeed something I am concerned about, because I will kick3724down doors of bureaucracy. And we are digging into that now,3725because it takes far, far too long for the reimbursements and3726also to close out the disasters. So, it is something that we3727are looking into.3728    I don't necessarily have a timeline, but I can work with3729you to let you know.3730    Mr. Carbajal. Thank you. For months, Donald Trump has3731claimed that he is cutting redtape, and his administration is3732doing that in Washington. For communities on the central coast,3733it sure doesn't feel that way. What process improvements has3734FEMA implemented or will implement to accelerate these3735reimbursements?3736    Mr. Richardson. So, one of the things that I have done--and3737once again, thank you for the question--is I have3738consolidated--the office was somewhat disparate when addressing3739these. What I have done is I have consolidated those functions3740in FEMA so we can get a better handle on it and better3741reporting measures for it. And I can share those with you.3742    Mr. Carbajal. I would love to have that information.3743    What accountability measures or metrics does FEMA use to3744track reimbursement timelines internally?3745    And would you commit to provide this committee and me a3746report on average processing times for reimbursement claims,3747especially for the central coast disasters, over the past 23748years?3749    Mr. Richardson. What I can do is I can commit to looking3750into it and then getting ahold of you and talking through it.3751    Mr. Carbajal. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, I yield3752back.3753    Mr. Perry. The Chair thanks the gentleman. The Chair is3754going to recognize the ranking member for a moment for a close.3755    Mr. Stanton. Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. I do have one3756final question for Mr. Richardson.3757    Like you, the loss of life from the Texas flood haunts me,3758the pictures in my mind of people clinging to trees, some who3759were saved by Coast Guard or other heroes in this incident. But3760it haunts me that we could have had more urban search and3761rescue pre-position in place. We could have saved more of those3762people who were clinging onto those trees but weren't able to3763hang on for long enough.3764    You testified here today that you relied on the judgment of3765the Texas emergency management officials, including Texas pre-3766based urban search and rescue. But FEMA did not act to bring in3767and pre-position additional urban search and rescue. That was a3768choice. The choice was made not to pre-position those3769additional search and rescue.3770    In light of the fact of the lack of the greater number of3771urgent search and rescues that could have saved more lives, do3772you still agree with President Trump's assessment that the3773response to the horrific Texas floods was ``the best FEMA3774response ever''?3775    Mr. Richardson. The response in Texas, which was community-3776led, State-managed, and federally supported, brought the3777maximum amount of capability to bear in Texas at the right time3778and the right place. Through the Secretary's leadership,3779through the President's leadership, through my own leadership,3780through Nim Kidd's leadership, through region 6, we made that3781happen. And that is a model of how response should be done.3782    The maximum capability--remember, emergency management is3783not a pile-on sport. It is well coordinated, relies on personal3784relationships. It has got to be exercised beforehand. And all3785those things came together on Texas' worst day. And we all3786grieve for the State of Texas. All those things came together3787to show what President Trump and Secretary Noem called the best3788response ever. And I agree that it was an outstanding response,3789and the people of Texas deserved that outstanding response, and3790Texas emergency managers, region 6 all did an outstanding job.3791    Mr. Stanton. Well, I will strongly disagree that all of the3792resources were brought to bear that could have been. I think it3793was a choice by FEMA to not fulfill their statutory3794responsibility to pre-position under the circumstances. I3795believe that that likely cost lives in these circumstances, and3796I believe it is a shame that you say that this was the ``best3797FEMA response ever.''3798    I yield back.3799    Mr. Perry. The Chair thanks the gentleman and, just again,3800wants to level-set. Let's make sure we understand3801definitionally what pre-positioning means and why it occurs.3802    And in this instance, flood warnings happen all across the3803country on a regular basis, and FEMA doesn't pre-position to3804every flood warning it gets, because they would pre-position3805literally 365 days a year, or just about something close to3806that. That having been said, with fast-moving disasters like3807the one that occurred in Texas, it is not like a hurricane,3808which you can track, you can anticipate landfall or the3809location of the disaster to pre-position assets.3810    And so, definitionally, we need to just make sure, again,3811level-setting what the expectation is here. Again, there are3812plenty of reasons to be critical of FEMA, and those criticisms3813are justified in many cases. But definitionally, we must3814understand and recognize what the limit of the expectations3815are, and in this case, what pre-positioning is for and what it3816is all about.3817    That having been said, I thank the gentleman. The gentleman3818does yield back. Are there further questions from any members3819of the subcommittee who have not been recognized?3820    Seeing none, that concludes our hearing for today. I would3821like to thank the witness for his testimony.3822    This subcommittee now stands adjourned.3823    [Whereupon, at 12:04 p.m., the subcommittee was adjourned.]38243825                                Appendix38263827                              ----------38283829Questions to David Richardson, Senior Official Performing the Duties of3830     FEMA Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S.3831         Department of Homeland Security, from Hon. Scott Perry38323833    Question 1. During the response to the recent flooding in Texas3834(DR-4879-TX), there were public reports alleging that on July 6, 2025,3835``nearly two-thirds of calls'' from impacted survivors to FEMA's3836disaster assistance line went unanswered on July 6, 2025.\1\ In a3837bipartisan, members-only briefing on July 17, 2025, Associate3838Administrator (Acting) Keith Turi indicated that calls originating from3839Texas were prioritized in the queue, that the average wait time ranged3840from three to ten minutes, and that calls that went ``unanswered'' were3841often instances where the caller disconnected before reaching an3842operator--after which FEMA initiated a callback.\2\3843---------------------------------------------------------------------------3844    \1\ Maxine Joselow, FEMA Didn't Answer Thousands of Calls From3845Flood Survivors, Documents Show, NY Times, (July 11, 2025), available3846at https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/11/climate/fema-missed-calls-texas-3847floods.html.3848    \2\ FEMA Briefing to Members of Congress on Texas Floods (July 17,38492025).3850---------------------------------------------------------------------------3851    Question 1.a. Can you confirm whether this information is accurate3852and elaborate on FEMA's standard protocol for handling high call3853volumes during a surge event?3854    Answer. The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) current3855telecommunications platform does not differentiate incoming calls from3856survivors based on specific disasters. Registration intake calls3857(survivors newly registering for assistance) are prioritized over other3858types of calls (i.e., helpline, survivors already registered and3859needing assistance with their case or checking the status) and are3860handled as they are received. Because the Texas Major Disaster3861Declaration was the only declaration approved over that week, the3862majority of the registration intake calls on July 6, 2025--those newly3863registering for assistance--would have been from Texas survivors. From3864July 6-9, 2025, more than 80 percent of all calls for registration3865intake were answered with an average speed of less than 5 minutes.3866    Given the nature of disasters, FEMA rapidly surges resources to3867support caller services (registration intake and helpline). When call3868volumes surge, FEMA regularly augments the workforce by leveraging3869internal FEMA resources, local hires, and other federal agencies. FEMA3870also has external contact center contracts that receive a percentage of3871the call volume that is allocated from FEMA to allow internal FEMA3872agents to focus on more complex casework.3873    Disaster survivors have multiple ways to register for FEMA3874assistance: by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov, by using the FEMA app3875through a smartphone, by calling a contact center, or by speaking with3876agency staff in person.38773878    Question 1.b. Can you provide data on average call wait times and3879call abandonment rates on each of the first three days following the3880Texas flooding event, both nationally and specifically to the impacted3881region?3882    Answer. FEMA's current telecommunications platform does not3883differentiate incoming calls from survivors based on specific3884disasters, however the majority of the registration intake callers3885would have been Texas survivors, as that was the only Major Disaster3886Declaration approved over that week. The table below provides FEMA's3887answer rate (the percentage of calls answered by a representative) and3888average speed of answer (the average amount of time it took for FEMA to3889answer the call) from July 6-9, 2025, for registration intake. The3890abandonment rate, which is not a number FEMA collects, represents the3891proportion of calls that are not answered, and could be calculated by3892subtracting the answer rate from 100 percent.38933894                           Registration Intake3895------------------------------------------------------------------------3896                                                                Average3897                       Date                           Answer    Speed of3898                                                       Rate      Answer3899------------------------------------------------------------------------3900Sunday, July 6, 2025..............................      69.8%    0:08:123901Monday, July 7, 2025..............................      82.1%    0:03:593902Tuesday, July 8, 2025.............................        86%    0:03:023903Wednesday, July 9, 2025...........................      82.9%    0:03:523904------------------------------------------------------------------------39053906    Question 1.c. How does call center response to the Texas floods3907compare to prior disasters with similar call volumes?3908    Answer. FEMA's current telecommunications platform does not3909differentiate incoming calls from survivors based on specific3910disasters. FEMA has an internal capacity to handle a baseline amount of3911activity. However, due to the historic number of disaster declarations3912in 2024 (56 disaster declarations that included Individual Assistance)3913and approved during 2025 (17 additional declarations that included3914Individual Assistance, as of July 23, 2025), FEMA continues to receive3915a significant number of calls from survivors.3916    This, in addition, to the call volume received from the Texas3917declaration, led to increased wait times longer than typically expected3918during this time of year. Therefore, FEMA has continued to retain some3919augmentation resources to support caller services (registration intake3920and helpline).39213922    Question 1.d. Can you provide an update on the status of FEMA's3923call center contracts? Did the Agency lay off contractors on July 5th?3924Did any contracts expire during the Texas flood response? If so, were3925they reinstated?3926    Answer. FEMA's call center contracts are in place. Major disasters3927create sudden spikes in demand. As discussed previously, FEMA has a3928number of ways to quickly shift staff to ensure every survivor can3929register for assistance, while still moving critical cases forward. The3930approach used after the Texas flooding followed this model.39313932    Question 1.e. Are there plans underway to expand surge capacity,3933modernize systems, or improve performance metrics ahead of future3934events where call volume might exceed normal levels?3935    Answer. Over the past several months, FEMA has released a series of3936improvements to the survivor experience including informational videos3937for survivors before and after they apply for assistance, embedded help3938text in the application, an online status tracker that shows survivors3939where they are in FEMA's process and what, if any, actions they need to3940take to complete their file.3941    FEMA is working to optimize its technology solutions--including a3942Customer Relationship Management platform that enables efficient,3943personalized interaction and empowers survivor action, while3944strengthening fraud controls and ensuring privacy of survivor data.3945This will include enhanced customer experience technology, which3946combines artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics3947to create personalized interactions. FEMA will leverage digital tools3948like chatbots and intelligent voice assistants to enhance efficiency,3949reduce hold times, and create scalable solutions.3950    These efforts are expected to decrease FEMA's reliance on just-in-3951time surge staffing solutions as it will enable the survivor to self-3952serve through additional digital channels. FEMA is committed to working3953with this Subcommittee to improve disaster survivors' experiences using3954technology.39553956    Question 2. Mr. Richardson, you testified that you did not travel3957to Texas to survey the flood damage until July 12, 2025, several days3958after the severe flooding over the Fourth of July holiday.\3\ You also3959stated that you were coordinating the federal response from Washington,3960D.C. and remained in close contact with Texas officials, senior Cabinet3961officials, and the White House.3962---------------------------------------------------------------------------3963    \3\ Thomas Frank, FEMA Chief Slips Into Texas for Rare Public3964Appearance, Politico, (July 15, 2025), available at https://3965www.politico.com/news/2025/07/15/fema-chief-texas-public-appearance-396600452293.3967---------------------------------------------------------------------------3968    Question 2.a. What considerations informed your decision to remain3969in Washington, D.C. during the immediate aftermath of the flooding3970event rather than deploying to the disaster area sooner?3971    Answer. I remained in constant communication with my operational3972staff, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, White House3973officials, and our federal, state, and local partners in Texas,3974including the state of Texas Emergency Management Director Nim Kidd. I3975remained in Washington D.C. to coordinate FEMA's support to the state3976of Texas.39773978    Question 2.b. During previous major flooding events under prior3979administrations--for example, during Hurricane Helene in North3980Carolina--was it standard practice for the FEMA Administrator to deploy3981to the field while flooding was still active, or to remain in3982Washington for coordination purposes?3983    Answer. FEMA does not have a Standard Operating Procedure for when3984a FEMA Administrator will deploy to the field. This is due to the fact3985that every disaster is different and requires different support from3986leadership.39873988    Question 2.c. Given the need for interagency coordination, do you3989believe the Administrator's physical presence in the field during major3990disasters should be considered an operational necessity or a3991situational judgment call based on the nature and scope of the event?3992    Answer. No one can predict exactly what the operational need will3993be, but we can prepare for it. I will always be where I am of best use3994to the President, Secretary Noem, and the American people.39953996    Question 3. FEMA deployed Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams in3997response to the July 4th flooding event in Texas.3998    Question 3.a. Please provide a timeline detailing when FEMA first3999received a request for USAR assistance from the State of Texas, when4000the deployment was approved, and when personnel arrived on the ground.4001    Answer:4002    Monday, July 7, 2025:4003      0800: FEMA received a verbal request from the State of4004Texas and began processing the request for two Type 3 Task Force Water4005Packages4006      1800: Colorado Task Force 1 and Missouri Task Force 14007were activated40084009    Tuesday, July 8, 2025:4010      1440: FEMA received request for three additional Type 34011teams, twenty human remains detection canines, and three Search Team4012Managers4013      1700: Arizona Task Force 1 activated4014      1800: Nevada Task Force 1 activated4015      1900: Indiana Task Force 1 activated40164017    Wednesday, July 9, 2025:4018      0900: Colorado Task Force 1 and Missouri Task Force 14019arrived on-site4020      2230: Nevada Task Force 1 arrived on-site40214022    Thursday, July 10, 20254023      0044: Indiana Task Force 1 arrived on-site4024      0210: Arizona Task Force 1 arrived on-site40254026    FEMA manages and funds the National Urban Search and Rescue System,4027comprised of over 6,000 state and local first responders across 28 task4028forces throughout the country, including one task force in Texas.4029During disasters within their respective state, FEMA-funded Urban4030Search and Rescue task forces may deploy under state authorities using4031their federal equipment to support local Search and Rescue operations.4032After the July 4 floods in Kerr County, TX, the State deployed TX-TF14033under state authorities to support local Search and Rescue operations.40344035    Question 3.b. How many USAR teams were deployed to Texas under FEMA4036authority, and from which locations were they mobilized? How does this4037compare to other disasters, such as Hurricane Helene?4038    Answer. Five Task Forces were deployed as Type 3 Task Forces, of4039which three were upgraded to Type 1 Task Forces (increase in number of4040staff) from Arizona, Indiana, Nevada, Colorado, and Missouri. Twenty4041individual canine resources (human remains detection) and three Search4042Team Managers came from across the country. Urban Search and Rescue4043capabilities range in response and are based on the requirements4044outlined by the State and by the situation (e.g., hurricane, flood,4045earthquake). Every flooding incident impacts communities differently,4046which makes comparison of the search and rescue mission challenging.4047The magnitude of the Urban Search and Rescue response to the Texas4048flooding is consistent with some previous flooding incidents where4049federal search and rescue support was requested, including the 20224050Kentucky floods. However, the exact needs and support for search and4051rescue vary based on the impacts and existing state and local search4052and rescue resources.40534054    Question 3.c. Were any Urban Search and Rescue resources4055coordinated or supplemented through the Emergency Management Assistance4056Compact (EMAC)? If so, please describe how those requests were4057initiated and fulfilled.4058    Answer. The Emergency Management Assistance Compact is a state-to-4059state request system and is not coordinated through FEMA. Requests are4060submitted by state authorities through the Emergency Management4061Assistance Compact Coordinators in State Emergency Operations Centers.4062The State of Texas requested through the Emergency Management4063Assistance Compact several federally certified Task Forces which4064participate in the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue System. This included a4065request to FEMA for the task forces to use their federal equipment4066cache. FEMA granted this request, enabling Task Forces to use their4067federal equipment to support as an Emergency Management Assistance4068Compact resource.40694070    Question 3.d. What are the key challenges FEMA faces in staging4071USAR assets for fast-moving events such as flash flooding?4072    Answer. FEMA's Urban Search and Rescue teams were built and4073intended to be a rapidly deployable federal resource during federally4074declared disasters and intended to support and supplement state and4075local search and rescue capabilities when they are overwhelmed.4076Flooding impacts are not always clearly defined, and flash flood4077impacts even less so. Due to the dynamic nature of flooding incidents,4078it is extremely difficult to predict ultimate impacts to state and4079local communities and whether the impacts will overwhelm existing state4080and local search and rescue resources. This makes it challenging to4081determine whether or not federal search and rescue teams should be pre-4082positioned, as federal teams can only be employed once a Stafford Act4083declaration is approved. There are limited times when a flood threat4084can be better predicted because of antecedent conditions. For example,4085FEMA deployed Utah Task Force 1 to New Mexico when the State requested4086resources in anticipation of flood impacts in a burn scar area from the4087previous year. It is known that burn scars can produce landslides4088during extreme rain events. Frequently during flash flooding incidents,4089the states will request federal search and rescue resources as the4090incident is unfolding. In this case, FEMA will deploy federal search4091and rescue teams directly to the state's requested location to begin4092supporting state and local search and rescue operations, rather than4093staging them. FEMA's Urban Search and Rescue teams are built to deploy4094rapidly within hours of receiving a state request.40954096    Question 3.e. Are there any updates or lessons learned from the4097Texas response that FEMA is incorporating into future pre-deployment4098protocols or coordination with EMAC partners?4099    Answer. FEMA maintains a robust continuous improvement process to4100analyze best practices, lessons learned, and areas for improvement from4101each incident. Following the Texas response, FEMA identified the need4102to increase visibility on resource requests through the Emergency4103Management Assistance Compact. This increased visibility allows FEMA to4104understand the full scope of resources a state is requesting,4105identifying where the state may be experiencing gaps and shortfalls,4106and begin to pre-position federal resources ahead of requests for4107support. FEMA maintains close coordination with the Emergency4108Management Assistance Compact and will continue to expand that4109partnership in the future.41104111Questions to David Richardson, Senior Official Performing the Duties of4112     FEMA Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S.4113         Department of Homeland Security, from Hon. Mike Ezell41144115    Question 1. Mr. Richardson, given FEMA's integral role in national4116security and incident coordination, how does its current location in4117Washington, D.C., support rapid interagency collaboration and decision-4118making during crises, particularly with the White House, DHS, and other4119federal partners nearby?4120    Question 1.a. Can you further elaborate to how the existing FEMA4121headquarters facility supports the agency's continuity of operations,4122secure communications, and mission-critical functions and what risks4123might arise if those operations were relocated outside of the National4124Capital Region?4125    Answer to 1. and 1.a. Having a FEMA facility in Washington, DC4126plays a critical role in supporting the agency's continuity of4127operations, secure communications, and mission-critical functions.4128FEMA's mission to guide and lead the development of national continuity4129policy and coordination of national continuity programs for the4130executive branch requires operational proximity to the White House and4131Executive Branch departments and agencies. This proximity ensures FEMA4132can maintain close coordination with federal leadership and conduct4133routine onsite assessments essential for sustaining national resilience4134and the continuation of the United States Government.4135    The location in the National Capital Region provides FEMA with4136strategic advantages, including real-time access to senior decision-4137makers, streamlined cross-agency collaboration, and timely responses4138during national security crises or emergencies. FEMA's ability to4139execute its responsibilities depends on in-person relationships and4140seamless integration across unclassified and classified environments.4141For example, FEMA leadership engaged in over 100 senior-level national4142security and continuity discussions in the National Capital Region in4143the past year alone, underscoring the importance of proximity to4144strategic partners such as the National Security Council, the Office of4145Management and Budget, and the White House Military Office.4146    FEMA Regional Offices and the Devolution Program are essential4147elements of FEMA's operational framework, providing resilience and4148operational flexibility across the nation by leveraging the 10 FEMA4149Regional Offices. Regional Offices and the Devolution Program enhance4150FEMA's ability to respond effectively to emergencies. However, they are4151designed to complement--not substitute--the active presence required in4152Washington, DC to ensure seamless collaboration and leadership at the4153federal level.4154    Relocating all FEMA's facilities outside the National Capital4155Region would introduce significant risks. These include delays in4156decision-making during emergencies, reduced efficiency in coordinating4157with federal leadership, and challenges in maintaining secure4158communications and classified operations. Additionally, relocation4159could disrupt established relationships with key national security4160partners and hinder FEMA's ability to conduct routine onsite4161assessments and provide timely technical assistance. Logistical4162challenges, such as relocating critical personnel and infrastructure,4163could further compromise FEMA's ability to respond effectively to4164national security crises, ultimately jeopardizing the agency's mission.41654166    Question 1.b. As the current lease nears expiration, what is FEMA's4167plan for ensuring seamless operational continuity and avoiding costly4168or disruptive relocation efforts? Has FEMA assessed the long-term value4169of staying in place versus the risks and costs of moving?4170    Answer. DHS is working with General Services Administration on4171facility/real estate options for FEMA headquarters as they near the4172lease expiration.41734174Question to David Richardson, Senior Official Performing the Duties of4175     FEMA Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S.4176          Department of Homeland Security, from Hon. Mike Bost41774178    Question 1. Last year, in its Annual Report to FEMA, the Technical4179Mapping Advisory Council (TMAC), which has now been disbanded at the4180Department of Homeland Security, issued recommendations that included4181splitting the current Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) that is based on4182the 1% annual flood using existing conditions at the 50% confidence4183limit into two new flood hazard areas each determined using 95%4184confidence limit, one based on existing conditions and a second based4185on future conditions (including land use and climate change).4186    In leveed areas changing from the 50% to 95% confidence limit will4187result in many levees not being able to maintain accreditation on FEMA4188flood maps, which leads to higher insurance premiums, decreased land4189values, and much levee protected area made subject to federal4190regulations (mandatory purchase of flood insurance and floodplain4191management (i.e., land use).4192    We have since been informed that the recommendation(s) to increase4193from the 50% to the 95% confidence level will not be advanced. Could4194you please confirm whether this is the case and also advise whether4195FEMA intends to move forward with using future conditions, rather than4196existing conditions, for determining the regulated floodplain4197boundaries?4198    Answer. FEMA has not implemented the recommendations from the 20234199Technical Mapping Advisory Council Annual report. This report4200recommends two flood hazard areas: a Special Flood Hazard Area based on4201the existing 1-percent-annual-chance flood including estimates of4202uncertainty at the 95 percent confidence limit and a new flood prone4203area to be used for floodplain management requirements based on future4204conditions. Recommendations are made to the FEMA Administrator for4205consideration and no decisions to accept these recommendations have4206been made.4207    Furthermore, FEMA has not proposed any changes to the levee4208accreditation requirements established in the Code of Federal4209Regulations at Title 44--Emergency Management and Assistance, Section421065.10 (44 CFR 65.10), nor to the levee analysis and mapping procedures4211for non-accredited levees, which are documented in FEMA's guidelines4212and standards for the analysis and identification of the 1 percent-4213annual-chance flood hazard on a Flood Insurance Rate Map.42144215Questions to David Richardson, Senior Official Performing the Duties of4216     FEMA Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S.4217        Department of Homeland Security, from Hon. Greg Stanton42184219    Question 1. Two major fires are burning in Arizona on federal land4220in Coconino County. The Drago Bravo Fire in the North Rim of the Grand4221Canyon has destroyed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge and more than 704222structures, and the White Sage Fire has burned more than 58,000 acres.4223Coconino County Emergency Operations Center is on the frontline of4224these fires coordinating the response. It is the only emergency4225operations center in the county, a county that is the second largest in4226the country by land area. Yet, the federal funding the county relies on4227through the Emergency Management Performance Grant program for 984228percent of its operations has still not been allocated by FEMA. Further4229delays in releasing these funds will put significant strain on the4230county and its ability to respond to these fires and other disasters.4231    When can we expect FEMA to issue the Notice of Funding Opportunity4232for these Emergency Management Performance Grants and fulfill its4233obligation to Coconino County and other emergency management offices4234across the country battling fires, flooding, and other natural4235disasters?4236    Answer. FEMA is committed to releasing the Notices of Funding4237Opportunities, including the Emergency Management Performance Grants4238Notice of Funding Opportunity in the near future, and will keep the4239Subcommittee updated.42404241    Question 2. In March 2020, Coconino County, Arizona submitted its4242initial application to FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to remove4243hazardous vegetation on private properties in a high-fire danger area.4244This review requires examination of properties previously disturbed and4245developed for residential construction. Phase 1 was awarded in June42462023, and the County submitted its Phase 1 closeout documents and4247Environmental and Historic Preservation (EHP) review request in July42482024. Despite these steps, the EHP review for this project remains4249pending. (FM-5284-03-03R)4250    Can FEMA provide a clear timeline or estimated date for when the4251EHP review will be finalized and Phase 2 funding released for this4252project, so this essential wildfire mitigation work can proceed?4253    Answer. The subapplication, received on March 31, 2020, required4254coordination between FEMA and the applicant through May 2023 to address4255missing information. Due to insufficient details in the original4256application, FEMA awarded the project as a phased initiative. Phase 14257deliverables included identifying the project location, securing4258private property owner interest and access approvals, and obtaining4259Board of Supervisors approval. On August 19, 2024, the Arizona4260Department of Emergency Management submitted Phase 2 deliverables to4261FEMA. At that time FEMA initiated review, which included tribal4262coordination, consultation with Resource Agencies, and engagement with4263the State Historic Preservation Officer. FEMA has just completed4264consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Arizona State4265Historic Preservation Officer. FEMA is currently working with the4266subapplicant to receive a signed Endangered Species Act Compliance4267Package. Following completion of an Environmental and Historic4268Preservation compliance review, FEMA, along with the U.S. Department of4269Homeland Security (DHS), will complete the remaining required reviews4270of this project. Once all reviews are completed, FEMA may award the4271subapplication and may obligate the funding.42724273    Question 3. Coconino County sought approval from FEMA to place a4274temporary magnetic antenna on the roof of a 25-year-old county-owned4275building. Despite the minimal impact, FEMA required a full EHP review,4276which took four months to complete and ultimately confirmed the mount4277posed no environmental or historical harm.4278    What strategies or reforms are under consideration to streamline4279the EHP process for zero-risk or minimal risk projects or exempt EHP4280review on applicant owned structures/lands?4281    Answer. FEMA's Office of Environmental Planning and Historic4282Preservation has been actively working on strategies to streamline the4283process to meet statutorily required federal responsibilities for4284environmental compliance for federal funding actions, with the intent4285of maximizing the use of existing legal exemptions and adopting4286additional exclusions, where possible. FEMA has developed additional4287programmatic environmental assessments and, as of June 16, 2025,4288adopted 46 additional National Environmental Policy Act Categorical4289Exclusions from eight other federal agencies. This streamlines the4290National Environmental Policy Act review for a wider variety of project4291scopes that include minimal-risk projects, such as temporary4292installations on applicant-owned structures or lands.4293    FEMA is committed to reducing complexities of the Environmental and4294Historic Preservation review process and will work with this4295Subcommittee on potential legislative changes to ease complexities and4296challenges.42974298    Question 4. Congress approved two Community Project Funding awards4299(EMF-2023-EO-00002 & EMF-2024-EO-05006) for an Emergency Operations4300Center in Coconino County, which is now in the 2 design phase. The4301County attempted to initiate an early EHP review to avoid unnecessary4302construction delays but was told by FEMA that full budget documentation4303was required before EHP could proceed even though these details have no4304relevance to environmental or historical considerations. Currently,4305there is only one staff member in Region IX handling EHP reviews and,4306as a result, the County anticipates delays of 12-16 months or longer4307before approval is received. Coconino County offered to fund a third-4308party review to expedite the EHP process, but FEMA denied the request.4309    Question 4.a. What measures is FEMA implementing to address known4310staffing shortages and persistent processing bottlenecks within the4311Region IX EHP review team, particularly for critical infrastructure4312projects?4313    Answer. The Office of Environmental Planning and Historic4314Preservation at FEMA Headquarters is collaborating closely with Region43159 leadership to implement both immediate and long-term solutions. To4316date, FEMA has surged national and Headquarters staffing assets,4317reallocating personnel as needed to address project backlogs and4318improve processing efficiencies. Additionally, the Office of4319Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation leadership is working4320directly with the FEMA Region 9 leadership to develop sustainable4321capacity solutions through filling critical vacancies. FEMA Region 94322has also been in contact with the State regarding ongoing4323consultations.43244325    Question 4.b. Why does FEMA not allow the use of or accredit4326qualified third-party environmental reviewers to help expedite EHP4327reviews as is done at other federal agencies?4328    Answer. FEMA can accept certain components of environmental review4329process, such as hydrologic and hydraulic studies or surveys of4330historic, cultural, or protected species impacts, that are conducted by4331third parties under specific circumstances. However, regardless of who4332prepares associated studies or documentation, FEMA is responsible for4333making all associated compliance determinations as required by statutes4334and authorities delegated by DHS for FEMA's federally funded actions.43354336    Question 4.c. Is FEMA considering any reforms to enable such4337collaboration for urgent public safety projects?4338    Answer. FEMA continually looks for opportunities to streamline or4339improve the environmental and historic preservation review process4340while complying with statutory Environmental and Historic Preservation4341requirements to best serve community response, recovery, and resilience4342goals. FEMA's focus has been on streamlining tools to increase the4343agency's efficiency in performing required environmental and historic4344preservation reviews. FEMA is committed to keeping this Subcommittee4345updated on any changes to the Environmental and Historic Preservation4346review process and working with the Subcommittee on potential4347legislative changes to ease complexities and challenges.43484349    Question 5. Pima County, Arizona received a letter from FEMA on4350March 12, 2025, in reference to three Shelter and Services Program4351(SSP) competitive grant awards indicating that payment was being4352withheld and that FEMA was ``instituting specific conditions on the4353award.'' Pima County is owed more than $13 million in SSP funds for4354shelter and other services it provided to those seeking asylum.4355Throughout the last six years, this temporary sheltering program, which4356began during President Trump's first term, was conducted at the request4357of and with the full knowledge, support, and participation of agencies4358within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Customs and Border4359Protection (CBP) brought asylum seekers that they had processed and4360were releasing to the shelters in Pima County, and it was CBP that4361determined that these individuals were in the United States legally,4362Pima County had and played no role in these determinations. Pima County4363provided these services properly and in good faith to ensure public4364health and safety, yet the federal government has failed to meet its4365obligations to reimburse the county for these services, which were4366approved by the DHS through its normal grant process. Further, Pima4367County followed all the terms and conditions of the SSP grants and4368responded to FEMA's letter on April 9, 2025, with the additional4369information requested, which had already been provided with the4370requests for payment. To date, the county has been met with silence4371from FEMA.4372    When will the expenses legally incurred by Pima County and its4373subcontractors, for what was entirely a federal reasonability, be fully4374reimbursed by FEMA?4375    Answer. Pima County's Shelter and Services Program award is subject4376to ongoing litigation. FEMA does not comment on pending litigation.43774378Questions to David Richardson, Senior Official Performing the Duties of4379     FEMA Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S.4380       Department of Homeland Security, from Hon. John Garamendi43814382    Question 1. Mr. Richardson, in your testimony you cite examples of4383BRIC-funded projects, such as bicycle lanes, as diverging from the4384program's original intent, and use this as a rationale for canceling4385the program.4386    Question 1.a. Could you please provide a full list of all BRIC-4387funded projects from 2020 to the present, identifying which specific4388grants you believe deviate from the program's core purpose?4389    Question 1.b. Additionally, please indicate what percentage of4390total grants and funding, respectively, you believe fall into this4391category.4392    Question 1.c. In your view, how many such projects are sufficient4393to justify withholding critical disaster preparedness funding4394nationwide?4395    Answer to 1.a., 1.b., and 1.c. We have not terminated any grants or4396ended the program. We are currently evaluating its efficacy to ensure4397selections align with its original purpose, and the next steps. Once4398that review has been completed and decisions have been finalized, we4399will be able to provide a more complete response.4400    A full list of BRIC funded projects from 2020 to present can be4401found on OpenFEMA.4402      To identify BRIC subapplications from FY 2020 to the4403present that have been awarded and obligated using OpenFEMA data, refer4404to OpenFEMA HMA Subapplications v2 [https://www.fema.gov/openfema-data-4405page/hma-subapplications-v2]. Data can then be filtered on the field4406``program'' to only include Building Resilient Infrastructure and4407Communities. The field ``totalObligatedAmount'' will provide the total4408federal obligated amount for subapplications that have been awarded and4409obligated.4410      To simplify this, we have included a link to this4411prefiltered file using the OpenFEMA API [https://www.fema.gov/api/open/4412v2/HmaSubapplications?4413$format=csv&$filter=(program%20eq%20%27Building%20Resilient4414%20Infrastructure%20and%20Communities%27%20and%20totalObligated4415Amount%20gt%200)&$allrecords=true&$metadata=off].44164417    Question 2.a. In a court filing, FEMA said that they have `not4418ended' the BRIC disaster grant program. However, in April, FEMA4419announced that they were ending the BRIC program and canceling all4420applications from FY 2020-2023. Could you please explain the apparent4421contradiction here?4422    Question 2.b. Is BRIC ended or not?4423    Answer to 2.a. and 2.b. We have not terminated any grants or ended4424the program. We are currently evaluating its efficacy to ensure4425selections align with its original purpose, and the next steps.44264427                                [all]