Overview
- Supervisors have told staff that many multiyear CORE contracts will not be renewed this year, with reports that thousands of positions could be cut and some divisions losing up to half their workers.
- CORE employees account for roughly 40% of FEMA’s workforce and handle frontline survivor assistance, long-term rebuilding support, and critical technology and administrative functions.
- FEMA said the appointments are designed to fluctuate with disaster activity, operational need, and funding, and stated there has been no change to policy even as employees report nonrenewals despite supervisor recommendations.
- State officials in places still rebuilding, including North Carolina and Texas, warn that fewer CORE staff could slow getting aid out, with a North Carolina lawmaker cautioning that money still requires personnel to move it.
- Thirteen House Democrats have asked the White House to review the reductions, arguing they may violate a post-Katrina law that prohibits cuts that would significantly hamper disaster response.