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2w ago

Noem’s Cost Controls Stall FEMA Response as Texas Flood Death Toll Rises

DHS policy that requires Kristi Noem’s sign-off on major FEMA spending has slowed federal search and rescue deployments.

Kevin Scott, Danny LeBourgeois and Lincoln Edwards search for Aiden Heartfield, who went camping with friends and is missing, around a damaged truck along the Guadalupe River after flooding in Kerrville, Texas on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
A traffic sign reading "Road may flood" lies on the ground near the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas, on July 8, 2025.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks about the Federal Emergency Management Agency next to U.S. President Donald Trump, in the Oval Office at the White House, in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 10, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard/File Photo
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks during a news conference where she announced that most airline passengers will no longer have to remove their shoes at security checkpoints on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at Reagan National Airport in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Overview

  • Central Texas floods have killed more than 120 people and left over 160 missing as recovery efforts intensify.
  • A new DHS rule mandates the homeland security secretary’s approval for any FEMA contract or grant exceeding $100,000, curbing the agency’s spending autonomy.
  • Urban Search and Rescue teams were not dispatched until more than 72 hours after flooding began because of delayed sign-off on critical contracts.
  • FEMA deployed just 86 staffers by Monday and expanded to 311 by Tuesday, representing a smaller force than typical for a disaster of this size.
  • Texas state agencies have led relief operations with over 2,100 personnel across 20 agencies, leveraging the Emergency Management Assistance Compact for additional support.