Senator Andy Kim from New Jersey recently criticized the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) policy decisions, labeling them as some of the “stupidest” he’s encountered. This comes amid ongoing concerns over the federal response to the recent devastating flash floods in Texas.
During an MSNBC appearance, he expressed his frustration, stating, “For administrations focusing on reducing red tape, they’re actually creating more bureaucratic hurdles.” Kim emphasized that this could become a significant bottleneck in emergency response.
In addition to being a member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, Kim is also part of the Disaster Management Subpanel. He has reached out to DHS to request a hurricane response plan for the current season, which began in June.
Reports from major news outlets have indicated that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) faced challenges in responding to the Texas floods, which resulted in over 120 fatalities. These issues were reportedly linked to budget restrictions from DHS that require gubernatorial approval for expenditures exceeding $100,000.
Previously, CNN reported that this policy caused delays in deploying FEMA’s search and rescue teams, which could only be mobilized 72 hours after the flooding event. Texas had to initiate its own disaster response to tackle the critical situation.
DHS publicly countered CNN’s reporting, claiming it was “fake news.” Governor Kristi Noem also criticized CNN during an appearance on Fox News, dismissing the claims made against her administration.
In his correspondence to Noem, Kim requested clarification on how FEMA could effectively respond to hurricanes while navigating her purchase approval requirements.
“This additional layer of bureaucracy could lead to delays that might severely impact disaster victims’ survival,” he noted, questioning how FEMA could fulfill its responsibilities in light of these new challenges.
According to a report earlier this June, FEMA was reportedly returning to a hurricane response plan developed in 2024. The agency’s administrator conveyed concerns about creating new guidance that might conflict with proposals from a new review council led by Noem.
