Attorney General Jeff Jackson Sues to Protect $17 Million for NC’s Emergency Management and First Responders

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, November 5, 2025

Email: [email protected]|
Phone: 919-538-2809

RALEIGH - Attorney General Jeff Jackson filed a lawsuit against the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for withholding money promised to the states for emergency management, disaster relief, and homeland security operations. The federal government's unlawful actions threaten North Carolina's ability to respond quickly and protect people during natural disasters and public safety crises, such as Hurricane Helene.

"Our emergency management and first responder teams worked around the clock in the weeks following Hurricane Helene, and these funds were critical to their work," said Attorney General Jeff Jackson. "We're in hurricane season right now, and without these funds, we'll be left with fewer resources to help people during the next storm that hits North Carolina."

The federal Emergency Management Performance Grant and the Homeland Security Grant Program help fund North Carolina's emergency management response, first responders, homeland security, and terrorism prevention. North Carolina used emergency management grant funds to prepare for and respond to Hurricane Helene, including:

• Activating and deploying trained emergency management personnel before and during the storm.
• Coordinating lifesaving rescue operations and shelters.

• Continuing to operate during widespread power and communications outages.

Local law enforcement agencies also use the grants to train, conduct drills, conduct school safety and active shooter exercises, detect drones, and purchase equipment for bomb squads and search and rescue teams.

"The Homeland Security Grant Program and Emergency Management Performance Grant are critical funding sources for not only North Carolina Emergency Management, but also for local emergency management agencies across the state," said North Carolina Emergency Management Director Will Ray. "The delay of these funds will have significant negative impacts to public safety for our state."

Together, the grants help pay the salaries of nearly 100 state emergency management workers, plus additional personnel in 100 local jurisdictions and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Congress passed a law setting the amount each state should receive based on a formula that includes the state's population. But this year, the federal government placed an unlawful hold on one grant and drastically shortened the time period to spend funds under both grants-without Congress's approval and without providing any reason. The shorter timeframe means North Carolina won't be able to most effectively use all of the funding for state and local emergency management programs and public safety efforts.

Attorney General Jackson is joined in filing this lawsuit by the Attorneys General of Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, and Wisconsin, as well as the Governor of Kentucky. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon.

A copy of the complaint is available here.

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