Trump-Appointed FEMA Review Council Proposes Major Redesign of Federal Disaster Response
A council appointed by President Trump has proposed a significant overhaul of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The FEMA Review Council suggests transforming the agency into a leaner structure, reducing federal disaster support, and shifting more responsibility to states, tribes, and territories. The report argues that FEMA's expanded roles, especially during events like Hurricane Katrina and the coronavirus pandemic, have led to bureaucracy and dependency on federal aid. Recommendations include changing how disasters qualify for federal support, providing direct payments to states, and focusing survivor aid on emergency housing. The council's report, submitted 15 months after its creation, reflects a move towards decentralizing disaster management. 
