North Charlotte Today

Senators Thom Tillis and Alex Padilla have introduced a new bipartisan bill aimed at reinstating the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as an independent cabinet-level agency. The proposed FEMA Independence Act intends to detach FEMA from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), redirecting it to report directly to the President. A significant detail of the bill is the requirement for FEMA’s Senate-confirmed leader to possess demonstrable abilities and knowledge in emergency management and homeland security across both public and private sectors.

Senator Tillis emphasized the importance of this legislation, especially in light of recent natural disasters. "This commonsense, bipartisan bill will help cut red tape and save lives by separating FEMA from the Department of Homeland Security and restoring its status as an independent, cabinet-level agency," said Tillis. He pointed out the urgency of the bill due to recent devastation in Western North Carolina caused by Helene, highlighting the need for FEMA to resume its work for those affected.

Senator Padilla also stressed the critical role FEMA plays in disaster response. "Americans depend on FEMA for support when disaster strikes. As states like California and North Carolina continue to recover from devastating natural disasters, it’s more important than ever that we strengthen and protect FEMA’s lifesaving work," Padilla stated. He argued that FEMA's independence from DHS would remove it from competing priorities and bureaucracy.

FEMA was originally established under the White House as an independent agency in 1979 but was incorporated into DHS in 2003 following the Homeland Security Act of 2002. This move had sparked warnings from then-Director Michael Brown that the decision might detach FEMA from its essential functions. Currently, FEMA operates within DHS alongside numerous other agencies.

The full text of the proposed legislation is available for review.