Michael Brown, former director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), said Congress should restore “independent agency status” to the disaster relief agency and give the agency direct access to the president. He expressed the view that this would lead to improvements in the department's overall operations.
“The smartest thing they could do is get rid of FEMA, restore its status as an independent agency, and give the secretary direct access to the president. If you don't have direct access to the president, like I do, that's not going to work,” Bush said. Brown, who served as FEMA administrator from 2003 to 2005 under former presidents, appeared on Thursday's NewsNation show “The Hill.”
The agency was formally established in 1979 by executive order from former President Carter. In March 2003, FEMA became part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Executive Office was created that same year.
FEMA has come under intense scrutiny in recent months as its response has been questioned and criticized by lawmakers and residents, particularly in the wake of the devastation Hurricanes Helen and Milton left in Florida and North Carolina. .
The store's reputation took a further hit after a FEMA worker was fired for advising aid teams to avoid a Florida home with President-elect Trump's sign after a major hurricane. After the incident, FEMA Administrator DeAnne Criswell was subpoenaed to testify before Congress, and an audit led by DHS Inspector General Joseph Cafari was launched in December.
Criticism continued this week as Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.), whose district was severely damaged by the Eaton fire, accused FEMA of reportedly denying aid requests due to lack of insurance information. Ta. Rep. Chuck Edwards (RN.C.) slammed FEMA on Tuesday, saying it needs an overhaul and new leadership.
“First of all, we need a new director, we need a new administrator, and we need to change the culture at FEMA,” said Edwards, whose district was severely affected by Hurricane Helen. “There is too much government bureaucracy and little consideration for the people they are tasked with helping.”
Mr. Brown himself resigned Two-and-a-half years after facing criticism over the U.S. response to Hurricane Katrina, a statement from FEMA echoes similar views to Edwards', claiming the agency has been “absorbed” into bureaucracy. did.
“FEMA has been co-opted into this huge bureaucracy. So I'm not going to defend the FEMA administrator, but what's going on is that she's going to do what she's supposed to do around her.” All I can say is that we're fighting a bureaucracy that doesn't give us the resources and flexibility to do so,” Brown said. on Thursday.
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