WASHINGTON, D.C. – In the Oval Office Tuesday, President Trump said he plans to start ‘phasing out’ FEMA after the hurricane season and ‘give out less money’ to disaster victims. Trump also said he plans to ‘give [disaster aid] out directly. It’ll be from the president’s office.’  U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), released the following statement in reaction to President Trump’s comments: 

“President Trump’s threat to phase out and politicize disaster aid is completely asinine. Shuttering FEMA would hurt communities in blue and red states alike and put millions of Americans in harm’s way every year. FEMA’s emergency response is critical after a flood, fire, or hurricane hits. The disaster preparedness and hazard mitigation work supported by the agency saves countless lives every year. States and communities—including many in Vermont hammered by brutal floods—need a fully-functioning FEMA.  

“Yes, the agency needs reforms. I’m all for empowering states and local governments in the long-term recovery process. But it would be a terrible mistake to phase out FEMA’s immediate disaster response and force states to take on those costs. It would be equally cruel to demand disaster-impacted communities directly lobby the White House for the recovery funding they need. This misguided plan would hurt millions of Americans—from flood victims in Vermont, to Hurricane victims in North Carolina, to fire victims in California.” 

Senator Welch has been outspoken in opposing any attempt to dismantle FEMA. Earlier this year, Senator Welch published a guest essay in The New York Times entitled: “Don’t Kill FEMA. Fix It.” In his piece, Senator Welch outlined why President Trump’s actions to undermine and potentially dissolve FEMA are misguided—but also committed to working with the President on good faith efforts to reform the agency’s long-term recovery process. 

###