WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Alex Padilla (D-CA) introduced the FEMA Independence Act, bipartisan legislation to restore the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as an independent cabinet-level agency and improve efficiency in federal emergency response efforts. 

The bill would remove FEMA from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and instead have the agency report directly to the President. It would also stipulate that FEMA’s Senate-confirmed leader must have “a demonstrated ability in and knowledge of emergency management and homeland security” across the public and private sectors.

“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 Senator Tillis. “With the recent devastation caused by Helene in Western North Carolina, the need for this legislation is more urgent than ever. We must pass this bipartisan legislation to help those who are suffering and get FEMA working again for those in need.”

 “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,” said Senator Padilla. “That starts with restoring to FEMA the independence it needs by making it a cabinet-level agency, separate from the Department of Homeland Security’s competing priorities and bureaucracy. It certainly does not mean shutting it down and turning our backs on our neighbors facing unimaginable loss.”

Background: 

In 1979, FEMA was established as an independent agency under the White House. Subsequently, following passage of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, DHS absorbed FEMA in 2003. At that time, then-Director Michael Brown warned that doing so would “sever FEMA from its core functions.”  

FEMA currently sits within DHS along with almost 20 other incorporated agencies, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Transportation Security Administration, the U.S. Coast Guard, and more. Under the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006, its Administrator was named the principal advisor to the President of the United States for all matters related to emergency management. 

Full text of the bill is available HERE.

###