The U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Appropriations held a hearing, “Fiscal Year 2025 Request for the Federal Emergency Management Agency,” on April 16. The primary witness was FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. FEMA has requested $33.1 billion to fund its many disaster recovery and mitigation programs and grants in fiscal year (FY) 2025.
“Emergency management has changed in recent years, and emergency managers across the country – at every level of government – are asked to do more, and FEMA is no exception,” said Administrator Criswell in her opening statement. “To support communities across the nation, FEMA must have funding commensurate with growing demands and risks of disasters. Whether it is a wildfire, flood, derecho storm, or other disaster, it is vital that FEMA tap into an adequately funded Disaster Relief Fund [DRF].” Administrator Criswell subsequently warned that without action from Congress, the DRF – which holds FEMA’s operational funding – could become so depleted that the agency would be forced to enact its Immediate Needs Funding (INF) policy, which pauses non-emergency response-related activities conducted by the agency in order to maintain preparedness. She also discussed FEMA staffing issues and upgrading FEMA’s operational systems.
Many members of the Committee highlighted their concerns over funding the Shelter and Services Program (SSP), previously known as the Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP). Members of the committee were concerned about the amount of money from this program going to migrants crossing the southern border. Questions about this program largely overshadowed discussion of FEMA’s larger operational issues and the need for reforms ensuring that low-income disaster survivors can access assistance.
Despite a general focus on border-related issues, several members did discuss additional topics. Representative Ashley Hinson (R-IA) highlighted the need for a universal application for disaster survivors. This is a priority of the NLIHC-led Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition (DHRC) and could be addressed by the NLIHC-endorsed “Disaster Assistance Simplification Act,” a bipartisan bill which would require FEMA to develop and establish a unified intake process and system for applicants for assistance provided by a disaster assistance agency. The bill passed the U.S. Senate last year. In response to the suggestion from Rep. Hinson, Administrator Criswell shared that there has been conversation at the staff level between FEMA and SBA about accomplishing this aim.
Many committee members also discussed the need to help smaller localities access FEMA grants. Smaller localities often lack the capacity and resources necessary to apply and acquire critical grant funding. Administrator Criswell stated that FEMA is moving in that direction and has already simplified the application process for projects under one million dollars.
View a recording of the hearing and the witnesses’ testimony here.