WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) this morning published an opinion in Fox News entitled: “I’m a Democrat and we need to fix FEMA with local control.” 

Read Senator Welch’s op-ed and view an excerpt below:   

SENATOR PETER WELCH: I’m a Democrat and we need to fix FEMA with local control 
By U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) 

Published July 14, 2025, by Fox News  

“When disaster strikes, it is an all-hands-on-deck moment. The federal government has the unique ability to surge resources and personnel, and it’s critical they show up.  

“As long as there is destructive weather, there must be a fully functioning FEMA. Communities from Vermont, to Texas, to North Carolina, to New Mexico know this reality.   

“But, the agency is far from perfect. FEMA must be reformed.   

“FEMA is too slow, too bureaucratic and too bloated. Administrative costs outweigh direct disaster assistance. Recovery is hindered by red tape.   

“That’s why I introduced new legislation July 10 to fix FEMA’s broken long-term recovery process.   

“The “Disaster Assistance Improvement and Decentralization (AID) Act” has a simple premise: local leaders know their local community best. They should be empowered to make decisions.” 

Read Senator Welch’s full opinion piece in Fox News. 

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