Trump Administration’s Reckless Cuts Delayed Life and Death Services to Texas Flood Victims
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CNN: FEMA’s response to Texas flood slowed by Noem’s cost controls
Washington, D.C. — In the immediate aftermath of deadly Central Texas floods, Donald Trump’s FEMA delayed search and rescue efforts, waiting for Trump’s Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to individually approve contracts. Trump and Republicans have slashed funding for weather forecasting that communities rely on during extreme weather events. Now, the Trump officials who are responsible for managing federal disaster relief have delayed critical aid for flood victims – putting more lives at risk.
Climate Power communications director Alex Glass issued the following statement:
“In the middle of a disaster, the last thing communities need is bureaucratic chaos and red tape, but it’s the first thing they’re getting from Donald Trump. From gutting the National Weather Service to delaying search and rescue efforts, the Trump administration is making Americans less prepared and less safe at a time when extreme weather and climate disasters are becoming more deadly and frequent.”
Trump and Republicans have gutted the weather forecasting that communities rely on during extreme weather, and are now abandoning disaster victims waiting for relief:
- Trump gutted weather forecasting, putting at risk the life-saving alerts that communities rely on during extreme weather. Meanwhile, some of Trump’s top NOAA officials would financially benefit from privatizing forecasting.
- Texas Senator Ted Cruz slashed funding for weather forecasting in the Republican budget bill, and then was on vacation while severe flooding devastated his home state.
- Trump’s Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s decision to individually approve every FEMA expense over $100,000 delayed critical search and rescue efforts – putting more lives at risk.
- Trump’s acting FEMA head has not visited communities impacted by severe flooding in Texas and has made no public statements about it.