noem reiterates need to change fema

Previous statements from the Secretary of Homeland Security Christi Noem have pushed for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to be eliminated. Now the caveat has been added “in its current form.”  I still think that they might figure out that getting rid of FEMA is not the same as gutting USAID. Who cares about some poor child in another continent. However, if you are an “American First” type of leader that means that “Americans” need to get the disaster aid.

Here’s the Reuter’s article, As FEMA aids Texas flood victims, Noem urges eliminating US agency 'as it exists today' (not stated is that the council that was appointed to look at FEMA’s future met this week). Noem is co-chair of that council. The other co-chair is Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth (I’m not feeling confident that they know what they are doing…). Both of these senior leaders are working outside of the level of leadership needed for each of their departments. Example, GOP Sen. Thom Tillis says Hegseth is 'out of his depth' as defense secretary

Let me jus affirm my beliefs. Across the board, and certainly when it comes to FEMA, we don’t have leadership in place that understands the complexities of disasters. For instance, Noem sent out a memo stating that any obligation of funds over $100K had to be personally approved by her. And, the memo said, expect that it will normally be a five-day turnaround. How does that work in a disaster situation when speed counts?

Perhaps the best outcome we can hope for is that they rename FEMA, and declare victory and let internal reforms play out over time.

On another note, there was an article that $1B in counter terrorism funds administered by FEMA have been delayed for about two months. The announcement of the funds and application process has yet to be announced. The thought is that compliance with all the President’s executive orders (can you say, “immigration), will be a requirement. For those who care, the funds have to be obligated by September 30, so the 60 days lost comes from the time that states willd have to prepared their application. It will be “slamma jamma time.”