Cameron Hamilton, the managing representative of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), expressed his opinion to lawmakers on Wednesday, asserting that he believes the agency should not be disbanded. This statement comes amid discussions prompted by the president and a declaration from Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noem.
“As the senior adviser to the president on disaster and emergency management… I don’t think it’s in the best interest of the American people to eliminate FEMA,” Hamilton remarked during a hearing with the House Appropriations Committee.
Despite his views, he clarified that the final decision rests with Congress and the president.
Hamilton conveyed his belief that federal assistance remains available, yet mentioned that the administration is working on new criteria for classifying disasters.
“We aim to establish a threshold where states can effectively manage more routine outcomes, while ensuring that FEMA and federal resources are not overextended during minor disasters,” he stated.
Representative Rosa Delauro (D-Conn.) inquired whether this meant categorizing disasters as “low,” “medium,” or “high,” and determining if state or federal funds would be allocated accordingly.
“It’s a bit more intricate than that,” Hamilton responded.
“We’re examining when investments will be made, the overall impact, and the actual capacity of a state. We’re evaluating proposals that may even require us to scrutinize a state’s insurance level to properly assess needs on an individual state and territory basis,” he continued.
Delauro expressed gratitude to Hamilton for not advocating for cuts to the agency but emphasized that Congress holds the ultimate decision-making power.
“What’s happening is problematic, and we’re striving to highlight this to the public. If unforeseen events occur, such as sudden storms or wildfires, the federal government has to reassess which category we fall into,” she said.
Hamilton’s remarks follow President Trump’s indication that he might consider eliminating FEMA, and Noem’s comments suggesting her efforts to dismantle the agency.
