Bill Would Restore FEMA’s Independence

A bill just reintroduced by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-New York) would restore the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to its pre-terrorist attack status of an independent, executive branch agency. President Bush moved FEMA from an independent agency to a sub-agency under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as part of the Homeland Security Act of 2002.

Under Clinton's bill, S. 1427, the Director of FEMA would again report directly to the President of the United States and would regain the authority to coordinate disaster prevention and recovery efforts directly with other agencies. The need for FEMA to clear its actions through the DHS was considered by many to have contributed to the government's botched response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster.

"While it has almost been two years, the pain of Hurricane Katrina and FEMA's inadequate response is still fresh in so many people's hearts and minds. On top of that, it seems like every week we hear about new failures on the part of FEMA and the Administration when it comes to disaster response," Senator Clinton said in a press release. "The head of FEMA must report directly to the President of the United States to establish the communication that is essential to ensuring that the highest levels of our government are coordinating and working effectively in the event of a disaster or emergency."

Sen. Clinton's bill is in the congressional committee system, currently before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Also See:
FEMA Lost Tens of Millions in Katrina Fraud, GAO Finds
FEMA Announces Two New Disaster Recovery Strategies
Bush's Battle to Create Homeland Security Department
INS Absorbed by Homeland Security