Will States Take on More FEMA Duties? Congress, Trump Council Debate Agency’s Fate

FEMA snub of Western Maryland sets disastrous example

For most of its history, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has been regarded as a strictly non-political government entity like the U.S. Census Bureau or the National Transportation Safety Board. One of FEMA’s key missions is to respond to disasters and provide direct assistance to communities that have suffered uninsured losses. Under such circumstances, Americans have a right to expect equal treatment and not a preference for states or l…

Will states take on more FEMA duties? Congress, Trump council debate agency’s fate

The FEMA Disaster Recovery Center at Weaverville Town Hall on March 29, 2025 in Weaverville, North Carolina. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)WASHINGTON — The Federal Emergency Management Agency could look significantly different by next year’s hurricane season, with state and local governments shouldering more of the responsibility for natural disaster response and recovery. Members of both political parties have long criticized FEMA, but a…