Rep. Fields and Rep. Carter Lead Response to Reports that the Trump Administration is Seeking to Defund FEMA

April 3, 2025
Press Release

Washington, DC – On Wednesday, Louisiana Democrats Congressman Fields (LA-06) and Congressman Carter (LA-02) released a joint letter addressed to President Trump, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, and Cameron Hamilton, the Acting Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In this letter the Congressmen stated their strong objections to both the potential elimination of FEMA’s long-term disaster recovery efforts and to possible funding cuts within the agency.

This letter comes following reports of a meeting between Secretary Noem and Trump administration officials in which Secretary Noem expressed a desire to halt multibillion dollar FEMA grant programs intended to help communities with disaster preparation and to eliminate the agency’s role in long term rebuilding.  

These reports are particularly concerning as FEMA has historically operated as a lifeline for millions of Louisiana residents following natural disasters, particularly during hurricane season. 

The size, strength and devastation caused by hurricanes has increased exponentially in our lifetimes. Between just LA-02 and LA-06, nearly 500,000 households have applied for FEMA funds since 2021. Disruptions to funding within this organization would result in unprecedented hardships for residents across Louisiana and throughout the country.

“FEMA is on the ground for every hurricane in Louisiana. Cuts to the organization would devastate the most vulnerable people in our state during some of the worse moments in their life. Congress, across party lines, needs to do everything in our power to protect FEMA funding,” Congressman Fields explained.

Representative Fields and Representative Carter have requested a response to their inquiries by April 30, 2025. The full contents of the letter are attached below. 

 

 

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Dear President Trump, Secretary Noem, and Mr. Hamilton:

 

As the U.S. Representatives for Louisiana’s 2nd and 6th Congressional Districts, we have profound concerns regarding potential plans to eliminate long-term disaster recovery efforts under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). A robust federal disaster response agency is essential to ensure rapid response, coordinated resource distribution, financial and logistical support, equitable assistance, and long-term mitigation as natural disasters increase in frequency and severity.

Of particular significance is the fact that our districts, and the state of Louisiana, have been major recipients of FEMA assistance, with nearly 500,000 combined households applying for FEMA funds since 2021. However, Louisiana is far from the only recipient of this critical aid and assistance. In 2024, FEMA responded to over 100 disasters, including two catastrophic hurricanes—Helene and Milton—that struck within two weeks, causing widespread destruction. Additionally, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported 27 weather and climate disaster events in the U.S. last year that had losses exceeding $1 billion. This staggering number underscores FEMA's vital role in supporting communities during their most vulnerable moments.

From Hurricane Katrina in 2005, to more recent devastating storms including Hurricanes Ida and Francine, Louisiana has intimately understood the necessity of long-term disaster recovery. FEMA has been a lifeline for our communities, providing not just immediate relief, but the critical support needed to rebuild and become more resilient. The proposed changes would strip away this essential safety net.

Of particular concern are the reported plans to:

  1. Dramatically reduce FEMA's responsibilities to only immediate disaster response

  2. Eliminate funding for long-term community rebuilding efforts

  3. Halt critical grant programs that help communities prepare for future disasters

  4. Dismantle the existing review process for FEMA's operational improvements

With hurricane forecasts predicting yet another active season, these proposed changes could not come at a more dangerous time. Communities like those we represent cannot afford to lose FEMA's comprehensive support. With those concerns in mind, we ask that you provide us with answers to the below questions by April 30, 2025.

  1. With the proposed budget cuts and structural changes to FEMA, how will the agency ensure that disaster response times and resource distribution remain efficient and effective, especially for vulnerable communities?
  2. What specific strategies or programs is FEMA implementing to help communities better prepare for disasters despite potential funding and staffing reductions?
  3. Given the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters, how does FEMA plan to maintain or improve its mitigation and resilience-building initiatives under the proposed changes to its operational structure?

The resilience of American communities depends on a robust, comprehensive approach to disaster management. The proposed changes would significantly compromise our nation's ability to respond to and recover from natural disasters.

We appreciate your immediate attention to this critical matter and look forward to your commitment to fully supporting FEMA's essential mission.