Fixing FEMA

“When disaster strikes…FEMA just gets in the way.”

That’s not actually how that phrase is supposed to go, but all too often, that’s the story I hear. Folks expect that when disaster strikes—whether it be a flood, tornado, hurricane, wildfire, or something else—the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will come to help. While they may show up, the help they offer is often too little, too late, and mired in complex red tape that communities and families struggle to navigate.

That’s why I introduced the Fixing Emergency Management for Americans (FEMA) Act, which passed the Transportation Committee this week. It makes FEMA a cabinet-level agency, fully accountable to the President, rather than a nameless bureaucrat.

The FEMA Act cuts red tape and further reduces the bureaucracy that so often stands in the way of real recovery. When dealing with a disaster, the maze of federal programs can be daunting. This bill creates one, unified application for individuals and families, making it easier to apply for assistance. When states and communities are working to get folks back on their feet, they don’t have a lot of time to wade through endless permits or countless permissions for debris removal. My bill streamlines that process, allowing people to clean up more efficiently and effectively.

It also requires FEMA to move forward on fixing the burdensome preliminary damage assessment process so disaster assistance applicants can more quickly access resources. Unfortunately, small communities are often faced with disasters that will cost them millions to rebuild, but still don’t qualify for disaster assistance. That’s significant in small-town America. The FEMA Act creates block grants for small disasters, so these communities aren’t left to fend for themselves.

When your house is destroyed or damaged, you need resources to fix it fast. When families do fundraisers or receive donated items to make ends meet, it shouldn’t count against them. Yet, FEMA has said that any charity donations you receive count towards your income. That’s not right, and this bill puts a stop to that nonsense.

Finally, this bill ends the unacceptable politicization of FEMA. No victim of a disaster should be denied assistance or skipped over because they have a political sign in their yard. It shouldn’t have to be said, much less put into law. Yet, here we are, and my bill puts a stop to it once and for all.

It’s long past time to fix FEMA. This bill is a bipartisan, common-sense solution that will return the agency to its original purpose: helping people. It’s time to get it done—before the next disaster strikes.

Sincerely,

Sam Graves