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Committee presses FEMA on staffing cuts and uncertain future as administration forms review council
Summary
Lawmakers asked Acting Administrator Richardson whether FEMA will continue as an agency after administration proposals and staffing reductions; Richardson said the president seeks a better emergency management system and a FEMA Review Council will advise on the agency's future.
Members raised concerns about the future shape of FEMA after the administration's statements about restructuring and staff reductions. Representative Garamendi told the panel that President Trump and Secretary Noem had publicly discussed eliminating FEMA as it currently exists. He asked Richardson to commit that FEMA will continue to carry out its statutory functions.
Richardson answered that the president "wants a better emergency management for the American people" and that a FEMA Review Council has been appointed to deliver recommendations to the president. He declined to assert that FEMA will remain unchanged, saying the council's recommendations will inform the way forward.
Staffing and operations. Members said a third of FEMA staff had departed and cited firings, early-retirement offers and other departures. Representative Larson and others listed specific administrative changes the committee said have disrupted FEMA operations, including extensive hiring and contract review procedures. Richardson acknowledged workforce and operational challenges and emphasized his mission-analysis work to focus FEMA on core responsibilities.
Why it matters. If FEMA’s statutory mission, structure or funding are altered, it would change how federal assistance is provided during disasters across the country. Members said they want clear commitments about statutory duties, workforce capacity, and how any changes would be implemented.
Ending: Richardson said he will cooperate with the review council and the committee; lawmakers sought additional written assurances and documentation about staffing levels, contract-review processes and how statutory missions will be preserved.
