Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in the U.S. Senate would restore the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as an independent cabinet-level agency.
The FEMA Independence Act would remove FEMA from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The agency then would report directly to the president.
The bill also would require FEMA’s Senate-confirmed leader have “a demonstrated ability in and knowledge of emergency management and homeland security” in both the public and private sectors.
U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduced the bill.
“This commonsense, bipartisan bill will help cut red tape and save lives by separating FEMA from the Department of Homeland Security and restoring its status as an independent, cabinet-level agency,” Tillis said. “With the recent devastation caused by Helene in Western North Carolina, the need for this legislation is more urgent than ever. We must pass this bipartisan legislation to help those who are suffering and get FEMA working again for those in need.”
FEMA was an independent agency until it was absorbed in DHS following the passage of the Homeland Security Act of 2002. FEMA’s administrator was named the principal advisor to the president for all matters related to emergency management under the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006.