Bipartisan bill would establish FEMA as an independent cabinet-level agency
A bipartisan pair of Florida lawmakers, Reps. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., and Byron Donalds, R-Fla., have come together to propose the establishment of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a separate Cabinet-level agency. Their aim is to streamline operations, enhance government efficiency, and ultimately save lives in times of crisis.
The FEMA Independence Act, introduced by Moskowitz and Donalds, seeks to detach FEMA from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and refocus the agency on its core mission of providing emergency aid. The bill also mandates the appointment of a director to lead FEMA upon confirmation by the Senate.
Moskowitz, the first Emergency Management Director elected to Congress, emphasized the need for reform within FEMA. He highlighted the challenges faced in responding to disaster events and stressed the importance of an efficient and rapid federal response. By separating FEMA from the bureaucratic structure of DHS and restoring its status as an independent, cabinet-level agency, Moskowitz believes that red tape can be reduced, government efficiency improved, and lives saved.
The proposed director of FEMA must possess expertise in emergency management and homeland security, along with a minimum of five years of executive leadership experience in both public and private sectors. Moskowitz pointed out that FEMA is currently one of about 20 agencies under the DHS umbrella, a setup that he believes is ineffective.
Donalds echoed the need for significant change within FEMA, describing the agency as bureaucratic, politicized, and inefficient. He emphasized the importance of swift and effective action in times of disaster, calling for FEMA to report directly to the President of the United States rather than being entangled within DHS.
The introduction of the FEMA Independence Act comes in the wake of President Donald Trump’s efforts to reform the agency. Trump initiated a review council to overhaul FEMA and address concerns of political bias within the agency. The former president’s order cited instances where FEMA managers allegedly directed responders to avoid homes of individuals supporting Trump’s presidential campaign.
FEMA’s allocation of resources has also faced scrutiny recently, particularly after the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, revealed that the agency under President Joe Biden allocated $59 million to New York City for luxury hotels for illegal immigrants.
Moskowitz emphasized the need for reworking FEMA rather than abolishing it entirely, advocating for a more efficient and focused approach to emergency response. The proposed legislation aims to reshape FEMA into a more effective and responsive agency dedicated to serving the American people in times of crisis.
In conclusion, the bipartisan efforts of Moskowitz and Donalds represent a significant step towards improving FEMA’s effectiveness and efficiency. By establishing FEMA as a separate Cabinet-level agency, the proposed reforms seek to enhance emergency response capabilities and ultimately save lives during times of disaster.
