Story perspectives

FEMA Grant Delays Spark Concerns Over Disaster Recovery

12/20/2025

Summary

Story summary

More than $900 million in FEMA grants and loans await approval as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem reviews expenditures over $100,000.
The backlog raises concerns about nationwide disaster-recovery timelines.
Critics, including former FEMA officials, say the policy delays aid and weakens response.
Despite claims of saving taxpayers $10.7 billion, the review delays some Texas projects.
U.S. President Donald Trump defends the policy as an accountability measure, though practicality is questioned.

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Story summary

More than $900 million in FEMA grants and loans await approval as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem reviews expenditures over $100,000.
The backlog raises concerns about nationwide disaster-recovery timelines.
Critics, including former FEMA officials, say the policy delays aid and weakens response.
Despite claims of saving taxpayers $10.7 billion, the review delays some Texas projects.
U.S. President Donald Trump defends the policy as an accountability measure, though practicality is questioned.