Condemning Federal workforce reductions that undermine preparedness, response, and recovery, and expressing concern regarding proposed future staffing cuts to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Key Points

• This resolution formally objects to recent and future plans to reduce the number of employees at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It argues that cutting staff makes it harder for the government to help people before, during, and after major disasters like hurricanes, wildfires, and floods.
• The proposal highlights that at least 2,000 permanent staff have already left the agency, contributing to a 35% staffing shortage. This affects everyone living in disaster-prone areas, especially rural towns and coastal regions that rely on federal help to rebuild their homes and businesses.
• Supporters of the resolution say that fewer workers lead to longer wait times for disaster aid and slower cleanup efforts. They point to past events where staffing shortages made it difficult for the government to provide enough help to all the communities in need at the same time.
• Beyond natural disasters, the resolution warns that these cuts could hurt national security. FEMA staff manage grants that help local police, firefighters, and paramedics prepare for emergencies and terrorist threats, and losing these experts could leave local communities less protected.
• As a resolution, this document expresses the opinion of House members rather than changing the law immediately. It serves as a formal warning that cutting the workforce could lead to higher long-term costs for taxpayers and more suffering for families waiting for disaster relief.

Impact Analysis

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