U.S. Reps. Castor, Kennedy & Wasserman Schultz Sound Alarm After Tampa Bay Area Residents Express Fears of Weakened FEMA, National Weather Service & Resilience Grants That Save[...]

Almost one year after the most devastating hurricane season of our lifetimes, local elected officials, nonprofits, environmental and emergency management experts and neighborhood representatives across the Tampa Bay expressed their concerns with the chaos at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other agencies to U.S. Representatives Kathy Castor (FL-14), Tim Kennedy (NY-26) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25).

Rep. Tim Kennedy serves as the Ranking Member of the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee's Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology, which oversees the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and focuses on emergency preparedness, response, mitigation, resilience, and recovery.

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz serves as the Ranking Member of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, which oversees the budget for Military Construction and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton battered the Tampa Bay area in 2024, breaking records and severely impacting the lives and businesses of my neighbors. Recovering from Hurricanes is not easy, or immediate, but the actions of President Trump are exacerbating the pain the Tampa Bay area is feeling one year later," said Congresswoman Kathy Castor. "As storms continue to gain strength each year due to the overheating ocean waters, the federal government must invest in FEMA and retain expert staff who understand the science behind these storms so we can predict and mitigate life-threatening impacts from flooding. I am grateful for my colleagues who visited with my neighbors from Shore Acres, Riviera Bay and Progress Village to hear their first-hand stories as homeowners. I know this valuable insight will guide their policy work in Congress to ensure not just Florida, but our entire country, is equipped with the necessary tools to protect themselves against extreme weather events - not partisan messaging from President Trump for clickbait and benefits to his billionaire friends."

"The message we received from the leaders and community members on the ground in Tampa was emphatic that FEMA can and should be improved, but absolutely not eliminated or undermined," said Congressman Tim Kennedy. "Every region experiences its own form of extreme weather, from blizzards to hurricanes, but we are united as a country in supporting our fellow Americans when disaster strikes. As Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Emergency Management & Technology, I'm grateful to Reps. Castor and Wasserman Schultz, as well as local partners in Tampa Bay, for taking the time to meet with me to underscore the need for an all-of-government response to disasters."

"We know FEMA needs reforms, like speedier delivery of resources and local coordination. But we also know FEMA shouldn't be gutted or wrapped in paralyzing red tape," said Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz, "On Monday, we got feedback directly from the Tampa community and its emergency management agencies to be sure we can rise to the challenge to provide relief, resiliency, and recovery for all Floridians when the next storm comes. With our climate and waters warming, it's no longer if, but when Florida will next need help."

Photos from the event can be found here.

Livestream from the press conference can be found here.