Today, House Committee on Financial Services Ranking Member Maxine Waters (D-CA), House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA), House Committee on Appropriations Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), House Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) and House Committee on Science, Space and Technology Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) released the following statement on new reports indicating that the Trump Administration is planning to strip the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of key functions—including helping communities in need to rebuild after natural disasters. Just this week, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told President Trump in a cabinet meeting: “We’re going to eliminate FEMA.”

“It is appalling, but not surprising, that the Trump Administration plans to fulfill its Project 2025 goal to dismantle the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and eliminate every part of the government that helps communities in need,” the Ranking Members said. “During a time when climate-related disasters are becoming more frequent and severe, communities from California to Florida depend on FEMA to help them recover and rebuild. Reported plans to dismantle FEMA come just months after devastating destruction and loss of life from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and major wildfires across the country, including in Los Angeles, California. 

“FEMA provides critical assistance to help families, businesses, and communities protect themselves against flooding, tornadoes, wildfires, hurricanes and other major disasters that are affecting more and more people every day. We are committed to strengthening FEMA to better help America prepare for and rebuild from disasters, but dismantling the Agency is out of the question. Attempting to do so would be yet another illegal—and cruel—action by this Administration.”

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