CONGRESSWOMAN JOHNSON SUPPORTS RESTORING FEMA TO INDEPENDENT, CABINET-LEVEL STATUS
Political Desk
September 07, 2005
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson today announced she strongly supports legislation that would restore the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a free-standing agency under the Executive Branch.
H.R. 3659, co-sponsored by Congresswoman Johnson, would re-establish FEMA as a Cabinet-level, independent agency and provide it the authority to effectively manage recovery efforts for future national crises.
Obviously Hurricane Katrina has exposed glaring weaknesses in this nation’s governmental response to natural disasters. By reestablishing FEMA as a stand alone entity, the agency will be better equipped to respond quickly, plan for, recover from and mitigate against natural disasters,” said Congresswoman Johnson.
The bill calls for the FEMA Director to be appointed by the President and report directly to the President. The Director would have the full authority to coordinate with all agencies and take whatever executive action necessary to ensure needed resources and recovery personnel are deployed to impacted areas in a timely manner. As part of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, President Bush removed FEMA from an independent, Cabinet-level rank to a sub agency of the Department of Homeland Security under the authority of the Secretary of Homeland Security.
As a nurse, I can attest first hand to the importance of efficiency and expediency in responding to emergency and natural disasters to save lives,” Congresswoman Johnson said. “The American people deserve an unequivocal assurance that their government will be there for them in times of crisis and not embroiled in bureaucratic red tape.”
The bill calls for the immediate transfer of functions, personnel, assets and liabilities related to FEMA. The FEMA legislation also would clarify the mission of the agency to ensure that its primary focus is on preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation issues.
The FEMA bill is a joint effort between Democrats on the House Committee on Homeland Security and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where Congresswoman Johnson serves as the senior Texas member.
H.R. 3659, co-sponsored by Congresswoman Johnson, would re-establish FEMA as a Cabinet-level, independent agency and provide it the authority to effectively manage recovery efforts for future national crises.
Obviously Hurricane Katrina has exposed glaring weaknesses in this nation’s governmental response to natural disasters. By reestablishing FEMA as a stand alone entity, the agency will be better equipped to respond quickly, plan for, recover from and mitigate against natural disasters,” said Congresswoman Johnson.
The bill calls for the FEMA Director to be appointed by the President and report directly to the President. The Director would have the full authority to coordinate with all agencies and take whatever executive action necessary to ensure needed resources and recovery personnel are deployed to impacted areas in a timely manner. As part of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, President Bush removed FEMA from an independent, Cabinet-level rank to a sub agency of the Department of Homeland Security under the authority of the Secretary of Homeland Security.
As a nurse, I can attest first hand to the importance of efficiency and expediency in responding to emergency and natural disasters to save lives,” Congresswoman Johnson said. “The American people deserve an unequivocal assurance that their government will be there for them in times of crisis and not embroiled in bureaucratic red tape.”
The bill calls for the immediate transfer of functions, personnel, assets and liabilities related to FEMA. The FEMA legislation also would clarify the mission of the agency to ensure that its primary focus is on preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation issues.
The FEMA bill is a joint effort between Democrats on the House Committee on Homeland Security and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where Congresswoman Johnson serves as the senior Texas member.
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