ICYMI: The Hill: Noem’s spending review has held up more than 1,000 FEMA contracts, grants and awards, Dems say

Washington, DC – Today, The Hill reported that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem held up more than 1,000 FEMA contracts, grants, and awards—delaying critical disaster response for communities impacted by extreme weather. Pending disaster applications for FEMA are sitting longer on average than at any other period during the previous 37 years. Noem’s requirement for her personal approval on all FEMA expenses exceeding $100,000 created a $17 billion bottleneck, causing months-long delays in delivering federal disaster funds to states. Last summer, Noem personally held up life-saving search-and-rescue efforts for 72 hours following the Texas flooding.  

The Hill: Noem’s spending review has held up more than 1,000 FEMA contracts, grants and awards, Dems say

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s policy of personally reviewing expenditures of more than $100,000 has held up more than 1,000 contracts, grants and awards at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), according to a new report from Senate Democrats.

The report says that as of Sept. 8, Noem’s policy had delayed approval of or left approval pending for 1,034 contracts, grants or disaster assistance awards.

It cites an internal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) tracker that it says was created in response to the policy and was provided to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee by whistleblowers.

Democratic staff conducted an analysis that led to the 1,034 figure, according to the report.

It noted that some of the delays were related to responses to disasters including last year’s Texas floods and 2024’s Hurricane Helene, which hit the Southeast U.S.

“Secretary Noem’s policy of personally approving certain contracts is putting the safety of communities in need at risk,” said Sen. Gary Peters (Mich.) the Homeland Security committee’s top Democrat, in a written statement.

“When disaster strikes, communities need critical assistance from FEMA as quickly as possible. These delays created by Secretary Noem’s directive are not only failing to make government more efficient, they are causing serious harm. The policy must end immediately,” he said. 

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The review policy has been controversial. In a dissent letter last year, FEMA staff said “reduces FEMA’s authorities and capabilities to swiftly deliver our mission.”

Last week, FEMA said it was releasing more than $5 billion in disaster assistance. A source told The Hill at that time that more than $10 billion in public assistance funds are still awaiting approval.