Rep. Kathy Castor says eliminating FEMA would be ‘dangerous' for Florida families
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — During a televised cabinet meeting, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said she plans to 'eliminate' FEMA but didn't go further into how that could play out.
Rep. Kathy Castor, who represents people in Tampa and St. Petersburg, wants the Trump Administration to rethink those plans, especially since FEMA is still assisting families after back-to-back hurricanes.
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'Eliminating FEMA would be dangerous and costly for Florida families and businesses,' Castor said.
FEMA is a federal agency that helps states prepare and respond after disasters, like hurricanes. The agency not only helps families with individual assistance, but it also reimburses municipalities for debris removal.
'There's no way that a community facing catastrophe has the ability to keep a search-and-rescue team on task all year long or have a medical assistant team on task all year long,' Castor said. 'To think you're asking the state to maintain and carry those costs for months, and months, and months. That just doesn't make sense. That's not financially wise.'
While at the Florida State Fair last month, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced his support for overhauling FEMA and allowing states to take more control.
'You've got folks with Milton and Helene who are still battling FEMA,' DeSantis said.
Rep. Castor says that's not a good idea based on years of complaints from Floridians who are seeking jobless benefits.
'We know from the experience of Florida's unemployment compensation system that they have never been able to deliver aide in a timely basis,' Castor said.
The latest numbers from Thursday show that FEMA has distributed $1.5 billion for individual assistance in Florida from Debby, Helene, and Milton. $1.6 billion has been approved in public assistance under those same storms.
President Trump has floated the idea for a major overhaul on how FEMA operates. He even created a FEMA review council through an executive order. As for changes, Castor would like to see at least one difference.
'They really should improve their customer service, especially on the individual emergency aid where they often tell people they're denied when they're not denied,' Castor said.
In a statement, Rep. Gus Bilirakis, who represents coastal areas from Holiday up to Homosassa said:
'FEMA's response to our recent hurricanes has been abysmal, with too many of my constituents still waiting for help and answers coming painfully slow. I agree with President Trump and Secretary Noem that we need to take a serious look at shifting federal funding and decision-making back to the states. I believe in local control – because local leaders are more accountable to those they serve. For example, we've seen that the Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM) has been much more effective in meeting the unique needs of Floridians than FEMA. With more flexibility and funding, I believe FDEM could do an even better job meeting the needs of those who are suffering and that is a concept worth exploring.'
Rep. Gus Bilirakis
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