House Republicans eye FEMA fund overhaul ahead of high-stakes hearing on Helene recovery
A group of House Republicans is proposing a new bill aimed at streamlining the organization of funds at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to expedite aid to communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Ala., who chairs the House GOP Policy Committee, is spearheading the initiative, which involves transferring unspent funds from FEMA’s COVID-19 pandemic allocation and funds earmarked for previous natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina into the FEMA Disaster Relief Fund.
This proposal comes on the heels of an upcoming House Oversight Committee hearing concerning allegations of politicization of FEMA aid. House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., expressed concern over reports that a FEMA official instructed relief workers to avoid homes displaying support for President Donald Trump, labeling such actions as unacceptable and indicative of a larger issue within the agency.
Supported by a diverse group of GOP lawmakers, including members of the House Freedom Caucus and more moderate Republicans, Palmer’s bill is part of a broader effort in Congress to expedite funding to FEMA’s disaster relief fund. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell has indicated that an additional $40 billion in funding is needed beyond the agency’s 2025 budget request to support ongoing recovery efforts from recent storms.
The White House has also requested $98 billion in additional disaster relief funding from Congress, prompting bipartisan commitment from congressional leaders to act swiftly upon receiving a formal request from the Biden administration. Hurricane Helene, which wreaked havoc in the U.S. Southeast in late September, resulted in significant loss of life and billions of dollars in damages, particularly in North Carolina.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has warned that Hurricane Helene could potentially become one of the costliest storms in U.S. history. As lawmakers work towards ensuring efficient allocation of resources for disaster relief, the focus remains on providing timely and effective assistance to communities affected by natural disasters.
