1. United States
2. La.
3. Letter

FEMA plays a crucial role in providing emergency assistance and relief during natural disasters, benefiting millions of Americans across all states. Proposing to dismantle this vital agency and transfer its functions directly under the president's office is deeply concerning. Such a move would politicize disaster relief efforts and undermine FEMA's ability to respond swiftly and impartially to crises affecting citizens regardless of their political affiliations. Transferring disaster relief funds to the executive branch raises troubling questions about potential misuse for political gain or retaliation against states or regions. FEMA must remain an independent agency, safeguarded from partisan influence, to ensure aid reaches those in need based solely on the severity of the situation. Its established protocols and organizational structure enable efficient coordination with state and local agencies during emergencies. Furthermore, suggesting that states should bear more financial responsibility for disaster response ignores the reality that many lack the resources to adequately prepare for and recover from catastrophic events like hurricanes, wildfires, and floods. FEMA's role is essential in supplementing state capabilities, particularly for economically disadvantaged areas. Cutting federal aid would place an undue burden on already strained state budgets and leave vulnerable communities at grave risk. I urge you to reconsider these proposals that would cripple our nation's ability to respond effectively to natural disasters. Instead, we should be exploring ways to further strengthen FEMA's capabilities and funding to better protect all Americans in times of crisis, regardless of the state they reside in or their political affiliations. Disaster relief must remain a unified, non-partisan national effort.