Noem restricts disaster aid over shutdown targeting ICE
The Trump administration has made a significant decision to halt disaster aid to states for long-term rebuilding projects as the partial government shutdown continues into its second week. This move by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) comes as they shift their focus to emergency operations only.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the funding freeze for projects related to past disasters, stating that all non-emergency recovery work is being paused. This decision adds a layer of uncertainty for states as they navigate the changing landscape of catastrophe response under the Trump administration, which has vowed to reduce aid for extreme weather events.
The suspension of funding for long-term disaster recovery projects is not a new occurrence, as FEMA has done so 11 times since 2003 based on budget constraints. However, this latest restriction is unusual given that FEMA had $7.1 billion available in its disaster fund in late January. Typically, FEMA waits until the fund drops to around $3 billion before implementing spending restrictions.
Despite the fund’s balance increasing to $9.6 billion in February, FEMA officials deemed it necessary to take emergency measures to conserve resources and personnel. Noem attributed the funding freeze to the ongoing government shutdown, which has forced the department to operate without appropriations.
In addition to halting FEMA funding, Noem also suspended two DHS airport programs over the weekend, citing the need to refocus department personnel on essential tasks. This move sparked criticism from some Democrats, who accused the administration of politicizing homeland security programs.
While the funding restrictions will not impact operations at active disaster sites, they could delay thousands of long-term rebuilding projects. FEMA typically covers at least 75 percent of the cost of eligible projects, so states and localities may have to put these projects on hold if FEMA stops its payments.
Gregg Phillips, FEMA’s associate administrator for the Office of Response and Recovery, warned that states and communities may be forced to wait for long-term response work to continue. Although the disaster fund currently has sufficient balances for emergency response activities, it could be strained if a new disaster were to occur.
Furthermore, the funding restriction could potentially delay President Trump’s decisions on granting disaster aid requests submitted by governors and tribal leaders since late November. This decision by FEMA reflects the challenges and uncertainties faced by states and communities as they navigate the complex landscape of disaster response and recovery during a government shutdown.
