Democrats Demand Federal Review of Deadly Texas Flood Response

Following the devastating Central Texas floods that resulted in over 100 deaths and widespread displacement, Democratic lawmakers have expressed serious concerns about the federal government's disaster response capabilities, particularly criticizing recent staffing cuts at FEMA and the National Weather Service. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have called for investigations into whether these reductions compromised the response, while House Democrats like Reps. Lloyd Doggett, Marcy Kaptur, and Eric Sorensen have highlighted the growing threat of climate change to increase extreme weather events and questioned the preparedness of federal agencies, including the impact of staff shortages on timely warnings. Congresswoman Julie Johnson has called for a Homeland Security Committee hearing to scrutinize FEMA's readiness, especially in light of President Trump's plans to phase out FEMA in favor of state-level disaster response after the 2025 hurricane season. Despite these concerns, President Trump signed a major disaster declaration for Kerr County, activating FEMA assistance for recovery efforts. Critics warn that without adequately funded and staffed federal agencies, communities facing current and future disasters may encounter significant challenges in receiving aid and rebuilding infrastructure.