Florida Democrat Warns FEMA Likely to Fail This Summer

Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) warned that FEMA is ill-prepared for the upcoming hurricane season and predicted it will fail this summer due to significant budget cuts and grant suspensions under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). He criticized the Department of Homeland Security’s approach, which includes plans to shift more disaster response responsibilities and financial burdens to states, risking bankruptcy for hurricane-prone states such as Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi. Moskowitz accused the administration of breaking an agency that needed reform without improving its efficiency, likening FEMA’s condition to the staffing and logistical failures seen at Newark Airport. He emphasized the contradiction of Republican leadership representing some of the most vulnerable states while not addressing the agency's deteriorating condition. Recent actions include the ending of FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, further undermining community preparedness. Moskowitz called for bipartisan acknowledgment of FEMA’s challenges and reform needs to ensure adequate disaster response this season.