FEMA Reform Report Significantly Edited, Causing Concerns Over Disaster Preparedness

Thu Nov 20 2025 04:26:11 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A draft report on FEMA reforms has faced significant cuts, diminishing its original recommendations and raising alarms over potential impacts on disaster resilience efforts.

A recently revised draft report meant to outline reforms for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has faced drastic reductions, shrinking from over 160 pages to around 20. The edited version, influenced by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s office, has evoked concern among emergency management leaders that crucial recommendations may be omitted, jeopardizing the readiness and response capabilities of state and local governments to climate-related disasters.

A draft of a much-anticipated report on reforms to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been significantly cut down, with recommendations compiled by a presidential council edited heavily by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's office, according to several sources familiar with the matter.

One former FEMA official described the changes as a report that 'got nuked.' Those familiar with the draft indicated that it shrunk from over 160 pages to approximately 20, leading to concerns among committee members and emergency management leaders about essential recommendations regarding disaster preparedness being left out of the final iteration, which is due around December 12.

The reductions reflect an administration trend to move responsibilities for disaster preparedness and recovery from FEMA to state, tribal, and territorial governments. The widespread belief among detractors is that most local governments cannot shoulder the additional financial and logistical burdens of managing disaster recovery, especially as climate change increases the severity and frequency of extreme weather events. FEMA plays a vital role in coordinating federal aid across multiple departments.

The downsizing of the report appears to politically intervene in what should be a nonpartisan professional review process, jeopardizing future disaster recovery efforts. Critics argue that this could leave governments without the necessary support to handle emergencies effectively.

Despite requests for comments, the Department of Homeland Security did not respond. A White House spokesperson stated that recommendations would be formulated to ensure FEMA's role is adequately adjusted in light of disaster scales.

Originally, the draft aimed for significant reforms, including restructuring public assistance and enhancing flood insurance. However, following its submission for feedback, numerous key components regarding disaster mitigation and local preparedness funding were reportedly stripped away.

The council, primarily composed of members from Republican-leaning states endorsing major FEMA reforms, has been conducting an extensive review process for almost a year. After conducting multiple public sessions across various disaster-affected regions, many believed this would yield a comprehensive final recommendation.