Introduction to the Concerns
Congressman Jared Moskowitz issued a dire warning just days before the start of the Atlantic Hurricane season, predicting that the Federal Emergency Management Agency “is going to fail this summer.” Moskowitz delivered the ominous assessment to his colleagues during a House committee hearing. “I would tell you that the secretary of Homeland Security has turned FEMA into the Newark airport,” he said, explaining that “I’m giving you the current state of affairs in an agency that has been absolutely destroyed.”
The Current State of FEMA
During his presentation on Wednesday, Moskowitz added that, “We may get lucky and hopefully we do. Hopefully we don’t have a bad hurricane this season. Hopefully we don’t have some unforeseen disaster … because they have decimated FEMA in ways that we won’t know until it happens.” A senior spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said Thursday that FEMA is being improved and is ready for hurricane season, which begins June 1. Also on Thursday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted that “the season is expected to be above normal.”
Background of Congressman Moskowitz
Moskowitz, who represents Broward and Palm Beach counties, is a Democratic member of Congress predicting problems with an agency run by President Donald Trump’s administration. But he has extensive disaster management experience, including first-hand knowledge of FEMA’s abilities, and its failings. Before he was elected to Congress, Moskowitz was the Florida emergency management director — appointed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis — a role that had him working closely with FEMA. Earlier in his career, he was a general counsel for AshBritt Inc., a national disaster response company based in Deerfield Beach.
Assessment and Proposals
Moskowitz delivered his assessment to the House Rules Committee as it was working its way through proposals to reduce taxes, increase and decrease various categories of federal spending, and increase the federal deficit. The widely reported turmoil at FEMA, including staffing reductions, means needed “resources are going to come slower,” Moskowitz said. “Think about it. You don’t get to move your logistics. You don’t get to move your water, your ice, your power generation, any of your stuff.” His warning came one day after DeSantis aimed to allay concerns that the widely reported turmoil engulfing FEMA would have negative impacts during hurricane season.
Response from the Department of Homeland Security
And on Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security disputed Moskowitz’s conclusions. “Under Secretary (Kristi) Noem and Acting Administrator (David) Richardson, FEMA is shifting from bloated, DC-centric dead weight to a lean, deployable disaster force that empowers state actors to provide relief for their citizens. The old processes are being replaced because they failed Americans in real emergencies for decades. Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, and the efforts of Acting Administrator Richardson, FEMA is fully activated in preparation for Hurricane Season,” the senior spokesperson said via email.
Call for Change
Moskowitz said change is needed at FEMA. He and U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, a southwest Florida Republican and candidate for governor, are co-sponsoring legislation to implement changes at FEMA and move it out of the Department of Homeland Security. “There’s no doubt that FEMA needed reform, but what they’ve done at Homeland (Security) is they’ve taken something that needed help and they broke it further,” he said.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Congressman Moskowitz’s warning about FEMA’s potential failure during the upcoming hurricane season raises significant concerns about the agency’s ability to respond effectively to disasters. The issues highlighted, including staffing reductions, paused grants, and unpaid vendors, underscore the need for immediate attention and reform. As the hurricane season approaches, it is crucial for FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security to address these problems to ensure the safety and well-being of those who may be affected by natural disasters.
FAQs
Q: What is Congressman Moskowitz’s prediction for FEMA’s performance during the hurricane season?
A: Congressman Moskowitz predicts that FEMA "is going to fail this summer" due to its current state of affairs, which has been "absolutely destroyed."
Q: What are the main issues affecting FEMA’s ability to respond to disasters?
A: The main issues include staffing reductions, paused grants, and unpaid vendors, which slow down the agency’s response time and ability to provide necessary resources.
Q: What is the Department of Homeland Security’s response to Congressman Moskowitz’s concerns?
A: The Department of Homeland Security disputes Congressman Moskowitz’s conclusions, stating that FEMA is being improved and is ready for hurricane season, and that it is shifting towards a more lean and deployable disaster force.
Q: What is the proposed solution to address the issues at FEMA?
A: Congressman Moskowitz and U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds are co-sponsoring legislation to implement changes at FEMA and move it out of the Department of Homeland Security.
