The Nation’s Climate Disaster Safety Net Needs Help! Support the FEMA Independence Act of 2025
- rabinelliott
- Jan 7
- 3 min read
Take Action
Actions by the Trump administration threaten the very existence of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which is America’s frontline in climate disaster readiness, response, and recovery. The bipartisan FEMA Independence Act of 2025 (S.1246) responds by restoring FEMA as an independent, cabinet-level agency and improving efficiency in federal emergency response efforts. Tell your senator to support this bill preserving FEMA’s lifesaving mission.
Background
The increase in the frequency and severity of hurricanes, droughts, wildfires and other calamities brought on by climate change; the ramifications of lost or disrupted lives, homes, businesses, and jobs; and the destruction of infrastructure demand a strong response from our government.
However, President Trump has weakened federal disaster preparation and response by denying or delaying disaster funding, gutting hazard mitigation programs, and generally undermining FEMA, which have placed new burdens on state budgets and raised risks for climate-impacted residents.
Why Now
FEMA’s future remains under threat. In December, a meeting by a council appointed by President Donald Trump to announce recommended reforms to FEMA was abruptly canceled. However, the draft recommendations were leaked and indicate that FEMA would be dramatically downsized. Essentially, the council would gut FEMA, leaving states to shoulder the burden of disasters and putting disaster victims at risk of serious harm, especially those with the least resources.
Congress must respond to the administration’s attacks on FEMA by passing the FEMA Independence Act of 2025 (S.1246).
Jewish Perspectives
We have grown weary of the phrase “our thoughts and prayers are with you,” comforting the speaker, not the suffering, in times of national calamity. This is not because prayer lacks meaning, but because words alone do not rebuild lives. Torah and Talmud teaches that communal responsibility (arevut) signifies that all Jews are interconnected and responsible for each other's physical, spiritual, and financial wellbeing, clearly encapsulated as Kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh (All Jews are guarantors for one another) from BT Shavuot 39a.
Arevut demands action: organized aid, shared resources, and systems that respond when disaster strikes. This responsibility extends beyond the Jewish community to all our neighbors. Our nation affirms this value in its very name, the United States of America, declaring that we rise or fall together in our destiny as a nation. This principle is so essential that the Shulkhan Aruch (Orech Chayim 93:4) states that one who is engaged in communal needs is like someone who is engaged in Torah: one does not need to interrupt serving communal needs in order to pray. Gutting our collective capacity to respond to disaster betrays both our faith and our national covenant.
Learn More
‘The perfect storm’: Trump has left the US less prepared for natural disasters, experts say, The Guardian
The Preparedness Payoff: The Economic Benefits of Investing in Climate Resilience, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
State emergency officials say new rules and delays for FEMA grants put disaster response at risk, LA Times
Sample Message to Your Members of Congress
Subject: Support the FEMA Independence Act of 2025 (S.1246)
I am alarmed about the rumors circulating about cuts to FEMA’s budget and staff. As extreme weather events are becoming more common and more costly for Americans, FEMA is even more vital to preparing for and responding to natural disasters, and to rebuilding afterwards.
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?
Jewish values include supporting organized aid, shared resources, and systems that respond when disaster strikes. This responsibility extends beyond the Jewish community to all our neighbors. Or insert your own personal Jewish connection.
The FEMA Independence Act of 2025 (S.1246) would end the cuts and the chaos and strengthen FEMA. I urge you to use your voice and vote to sponsor this bill to protect people, communities, and local businesses from climate disasters.
How to Contact Your Members of Congress
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.
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