House Republicans rarely challenge Trump officials. The administration’s handling of the Federal Emergency Management Agency is an exception.
Republicans asked why the administration has been slow to grant natural disaster requests, why disaster preparation opportunities have been delayed for months, and why FEMA has not provided a clear timeline of its response to the devastating flooding in Texas during a hearing with acting FEMA administrator David Richardson Wednesday.
“We didn’t receive a disaster declaration until last night. My constituents were frustrated by how long it takes,” said Missouri Rep. Bob Onder, about storms that devastated his district over Memorial Day weekend. “Why does it take so long to make these determinations, and what’s being done to cut the time to get help in these situations?”