Representative Chuck Edwards (R) of North Carolina slammed the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in an interview, saying it needs to be overhauled and a new director appointed. .
“Well, frankly, we continue to be frustrated with FEMA, their communication, their sensitivity towards those who lost their homes and those who were evacuated due to the storm,” Hurricane Helen said. said Edwards, whose district was devastated by flooding and damage. He said this four months ago during an appearance on NewsNation's “The Hill” on Tuesday.
“It's clearly an organization that needs reform, and I very much want to be a part of it beyond January 20,” he told host Blake Berman.
Berman then asked Republican lawmakers how they plan to modernize government agencies.
“First of all, we need a new director, we need a new administrator, and we need to change the culture at FEMA,” Edwards said Tuesday. “There is too much government bureaucracy and little consideration for the people they are tasked with helping.”
The agency is tasked with assisting states and communities affected by disasters such as Hurricanes Helen and Milton, but some residents are concerned about the response in Florida and North Carolina in late 2024. It has been criticized by parliamentarians and others.
The scrutiny increased after one of its employees was fired for allegedly advising a Florida aid team not to visit homes that showed signs favorable to President-elect Trump. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell was called to the Capitol to testify. The incident also led to an internal audit by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General Joseph Kuffari, which began on December 17th.
FEMA is also under intense scrutiny for its operations in California, where wildfires have displaced hundreds of thousands of residents.
Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) pressed the agency for reportedly denying aid requests due to lack of insurance information.
“We are hearing complaints about FEMA, which did what we asked for, which was to register on the disasterassistance.gov site, and yet some applicants were denied approval or disapproved. “This is because of the disaster,” said Chu, whose district was affected. Eaton Fire announced Tuesday.
Chu encouraged voters to call FEMA directly if their claim is denied or visit the new Disaster Resource Center to “ask what's going on with their application.”
The Hill has reached out to the agency for comment.
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