Full Breakdown
Congress Moves to Reshape FEMA Amid Staffing Turmoil and Political Scrutiny
7/13/2026, 9:00:22 PM
Legislative Push to Reform the Agency
On July 15, 2026 the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will hold a hearing on the bipartisan “Fixing Emergency Management for Americans” act. The bill would lift FEMA out of the Department of Homeland Security and restore it to Cabinet-level status, reporting directly to the president. The hearing follows a summer-2025 proposal that sparked a wave of congressional interest in the agency’s structure, funding, and accountability.
Recent Turmoil and Leadership Changes
FEMA has endured 18 months of instability. Since President Donald Trump’s May 2025 order for a FEMA review, the agency has seen thousands of employee departures through terminations, buyouts, and other measures, and at least four individuals have served as acting FEMA chief. Former acting administrator Cameron Hamilton, a former Navy SEAL, was nominated again in May 2026 after being removed by then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in May 2025. Hamilton’s confirmation hearing emphasized a return to “objective, fair and reasonable” disaster-declaration reviews.
Key Figures and Stakeholders
- Cameron Hamilton – Nominee for FEMA administrator; former acting chief in 2025.
- Robert Ashe – Acting Region 4 administrator, who highlighted ongoing preparedness.
- Markwayne Mullin – Secretary of Homeland Security, defending the administration’s reform agenda.
- Josh Morton – President of the International Association of Emergency Managers-USA, representing professional emergency-management interests.
- Craig Fugate – Former FEMA administrator (Obama era) and speaker at the upcoming hearing.
- Beth Trigg – Co-founder of Swannanoa Communities Together, voicing community-level concerns.
- Democratic staff – Authors of a July 10, 2026 report alleging improper diversion of FEMA resources to immigration enforcement.
Data Highlighting Operational Strain
- At least four acting chiefs have led FEMA since early 2025.
- The agency’s workforce shrank by thousands of positions during the “DOGE era” (2025-2026).
- The 2024 Hurricane Helene event left hundreds of homes damaged in Swannanoa, North Carolina, exposing gaps in relief navigation for residents.
Official Statements & Responses
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the administration is “driving ahead, transforming FEMA into a streamlined, mission-focused agency that delivers results.”
The FEMA Review Council released a comprehensive reform report in May 2026, which the agency has begun reviewing.
Democratic staff released a report on July 10, 2026 alleging that Homeland Security directed FEMA teams to prioritize counties based on voting records, a claim FEMA has not publicly addressed.
Criticism & Opposition
The advocacy group Sabotaging Our Safety has questioned FEMA’s capacity to respond amid staffing shortages.
Democratic senators have demanded a breakdown of disaster declarations to assess whether “blue states” face higher barriers under the current administration.
Beth Trigg described “a lot of very big cracks” in the relief process, noting that many residents lack the digital skills or flexible employment needed to navigate FEMA’s online systems.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Our preparation is the same every year.” — Robert Ashe, Acting Region 4 Administrator, FEMA
- “History says it can. What worries me is the clock.” — Craig Fugate, Former FEMA Administrator
- “I don't think you will find an emergency manager in the United States, including the employees at FEMA, that would disagree with the statement that we need changes,” — Josh Morton, President, International Association of Emergency Managers-USA
- “We don't think FEMA needs to be destroyed or eliminated,” — Beth Trigg, Co-founder, Swannanoa Communities Together
- “ensure that FEMA is objective, is fair and reasonable, follows the law and is consistent” — Cameron Hamilton, FEMA Nominee
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Democratic staff allege illegal diversion of FEMA resources to immigration enforcement, yet FEMA has not responded to a USA TODAY request for comment, leaving the claim unverified.
What’s Next
The July 15 hearing will examine the bipartisan reform bill, hear testimony from former administrator Craig Fugate, and consider the administration’s plan to elevate FEMA to Cabinet status. The outcome will shape how the agency prepares for the upcoming hurricane season and an intensifying El Niño.
