Save FEMA! Help People Affected by Climate Disasters

rabinelliott
Jun 3
4 min read

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President Trump has ordered debilitating cuts to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the agency that is America’s frontline in responding to climate disasters. As Congress negotiates the budget reconciliation bill, titled the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR 1), tell Members to require the Administration to use this bill to restore funding and staffing at FEMA.

Background

Climate change has increased t he frequency and severity of hurricanes, droughts, wildfires and other calamities. There were just three billion-dollar disasters in the United States in 1980, increasing to 27 last year. The ramifications are lost or disrupted lives, homes, businesses, and jobs; destruction of infrastructure; and a weaker national economy. Despite the expensive and painful devastation of climate catastrophes, President Trump is gutting FEMA.

President Trump’s cuts are part of his plan to reduce the size of the government workforce and government spending. He has slashed staffing at FEMA and halted multiple programs that fund resilience and recovery. Trump has publicly denounced FEMA and threatened to shift the burden of disaster response to the states, which do not have the resources to cope with major disasters without federal aid.

FEMA depends on funds appropriated by Congress in the regular budget and additional appropriations when needed. FEMA has spent more than half of the funds available for FY2025 just as hurricane season is beginning. Looking toward FY2026, President Trump is proposing significant cuts to FEMA programs (see page 17.) The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR 1) does not include any provisions related to FEMA’s resilience and recovery programs, however it directs funds to FEMA for security for homes of the President, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the 2028 Olympics. (Sections 60004/5)

Why Now

President Trump is pressuring Republicans to get his policy priorities passed. Their best chance to do so is through the reconciliation bill because it provides a procedural path around a filibuster. Although the House passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR 1) on May 22, it is not a done deal. The bill must pass both the Senate and House and then be signed by the president before it becomes law. If the Senate does not pass the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR 1) as is, Senators will have a chance to amend it. Then the House and Senate will have to resolve their differences, providing another opportunity for House members to weigh in. As long as negotiations on the bill continue, Members of both the Senate and House can advocate for changes that will require the Administration to restore FEMA staffing and programs.

Jewish Perspectives

The Torah does not shy away from the complexity between parents and children, the tension among siblings, or the struggle between prophets and the people. As a corrective the Talmud and generations of rabbinic teaching offer a blueprint for a just and compassionate society, built on obligation, empathy, and communal responsibility. When disaster strikes, writer Rebecca Solnit reminds us in A Paradise Built in Hell (2010) that communities often respond not with fear or selfishness, but with generosity and solidarity. Judaism commands nothing less. “Do not stand idly by while your neighbor bleeds” (Leviticus 19:16) is not just a moral urging; it is Jewish law. For generations, Jewish communities have built and sustained social service networks rooted in this ethic and our tradition makes clear that the suffering of any neighbor, regardless of faith, is our concern. Today, we are also fortunate to have government institutions, like FEMA, that embody this same commitment at scale; forecasting, preparing for, and responding to disasters with the goal of saving lives and restoring communities. Defunding or weakening FEMA is not just bad policy - it’s a moral failure.

Learn More

As climate hazards worsen, Trump moves to weaken FEMA and shift disaster response onto states, LA Times

Congress Eyes Budget Tools That Could Cripple Nation’s Disaster Preparedness, Association of State Floodplain Managers

The Reconciliation Process: Frequently Asked Questions, Congressional Research Service

Proposed Cuts to Federal Disaster Assistance Will Hit States Just as Hurricane Season Ramps Up, Urban Institute

What’s at Stake in the Budget Reconciliation Process (And What You Can Do About It), Union of Concerned Scientists

Moskowitz Pushes to Save FEMA by Amending Republican Budget Bill, Video of House Rules Committee

Sample Message to Your Members of Congress

Subject: Use Reconciliation to Restore FEMA

I’m shocked that FEMA’s budget and staff have been cut just as hurricane season is starting. As extreme weather events are becoming more common and more costly for Americans, Congress should give the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) the staff and funds needed to help.

FEMA is a priority for me because explain why you care…have you been impacted by a climate disaster? Live in an area at risk? Volunteer or donate for disaster relief?

As a Jew who studies the Torah, I am commanded “not to stand by idly when your neighbor bleeds.” I want FEMA to use my taxes to help when disaster strikes. Or insert your own personal Jewish connection.

Reconciliation gives you a chance to strengthen FEMA and restore cuts made by the President. I urge you to use your voice and vote to amend the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to protect people, communities and local businesses from climate disasters.

How to Contact Your Members of Congress

Note: FEMA, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security, is under the oversight of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Find your Members of Congress at https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials

Call the Capitol switchboard (202) 224-3121 to reach your Member of Congress’ office.

Online: Find your members’ websites and look for the “Contact” page to submit a message. For a senator’s website, search lastname.senate.gov. For a representative’s website, search lastname.house.gov.