Warning Against Politicizing Disaster Relief

Congresswoman Sykes warned that President Trump’s actions are weakening the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) ability to fulfill its responsibility to Americans during emergencies by limiting the agency’s ability to prepare for and respond to disasters. During a House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing titled, “Reforming FEMA: Ensuring the Nation’s Disaster Readiness Works for Americans,” Congresswoman Sykes highlighted concerns about FEMA staffing cuts, delayed and canceled preparedness and mitigation grants, and the diversion of FEMA resources away from emergency management efforts. She also raised concerns that political considerations may be affecting access to disaster assistance. The federal government has a responsibility to be there for families when they are facing the worst moments of their lives. President Trump’s decision to politicize disaster relief is putting that promise at risk. Since January 2025, disaster declaration requests from Democratic governors have been approved at a rate of 23%, compared to 89% for Republican-led states. Americans should never have to wonder whether they will receive help after a disaster because of who they voted for or where they live. Disaster assistance must be based on need, not politics. Congresswoman Sykes questioned former FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate about the operational impact of cutting FEMA staff and diverting agency resources to support the Trump Administration’s deportation efforts. She asked whether those decisions could undermine FEMA’s readiness and whether shifting resources away from emergency management was an effective use of agency capacity. Congresswoman Sykes also asked Administrator Fugate about the potential impact of elevating FEMA to an independent agency with a Cabinet-level administrator who reports directly to the President and whether such a structure would make the agency more responsive during disasters. Congresswoman Sykes drew on Northeast Ohio’s experience with back-to-back storms that caused widespread flooding two years ago. She led a bipartisan delegation letter urging Ohio Governor Mike DeWine to declare a state of emergency in nine counties and request assistance from FEMA. During that time, Northeast Ohio families turned to the federal government to help rebuild their homes and infrastructure, and FEMA was there to deliver. Congresswoman Sykes emphasized that Americans across the country deserve the same confidence that the federal government will be there when disaster strikes, and that assistance will be delivered based on need.