Twenty States Sue FEMA Over Cancellation of Disaster Mitigation Grant Program
A coalition of 20 Democratic-led states is suing FEMA for terminating a disaster mitigation grant program, claiming it undermines community safety against natural disasters.
Democratic states sue Trump admin over axed disaster prevention funds
Washington Examiner
Overview
- Twenty Democratic-led states, including 19 attorneys general, are suing FEMA in federal court over the cancellation of a disaster mitigation grant program.
- The lawsuit claims FEMA's decision violates the constitutional separation of powers and undermines community safety against natural disasters.
- The terminated grant program funded projects like levees, safe rooms, and vegetation management to protect communities from disasters.
- FEMA's BRIC program faced criticism for being wasteful and ineffective, leading to its cancellation and subsequent lawsuits.
- The lawsuit highlights tensions between state governments and the Trump administration regarding disaster preparedness funding.
Report issue
Read both sides in 5 minutes each day
Analysis
Sources frame the story by emphasizing the negative consequences of FEMA's grant program cancellation. They highlight the tangible impacts on communities through detailed examples and foreground the legal arguments of the states challenging the decision. While including FEMA's brief justification, the collective editorial choices prioritize the narrative of communities being abandoned and the program's importance.
"By abruptly and unlawfully shutting down the BRIC program, this administration is abandoning states and local communities that rely on federal funding to protect their residents and, in the event of disaster, save lives."
ABC NewsArticles (4)
FAQ
FEMA canceled the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, which was established to provide annual federal funding for hazard mitigation projects like levees, safe rooms, and vegetation management to reduce long-term risks and costs of natural disasters[1][4]. Congress created BRIC through the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 to replace the Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) program and ensure a stable funding source for such projects[4].
FEMA stated that the BRIC program was deemed wasteful and ineffective, more focused on political agendas than effective disaster relief, and did not align with the agency's core mission under the current leadership[1]. The agency announced it is developing a new approach to mitigation more responsive to state and local needs.
States and local communities lose access to federal funds for critical resilience projects, which are now being returned to the Disaster Relief Fund or the U.S. Treasury[1][4]. Some communities, such as Hillsborough and Mount Pleasant in North Carolina, had already been awarded funds for projects like flood-proofing infrastructure and improving stormwater drainage, but those projects may now be halted or delayed due to the loss of funding[3].
The lawsuit argues that FEMA's cancellation of the BRIC program violates the constitutional separation of powers, as Congress had not authorized the program's demise, and alleges the decision was made by an acting administrator not properly appointed to lead the agency[3]. The states also claim the termination undermines community safety and the ability to protect lives and property from natural disasters[3].
Projects that have already started construction and are fully obligated will be allowed to continue and expend associated funds[2]. However, fully obligated projects that have not started construction will end, and for phased projects, FEMA will work with applicants to determine the best stopping point—management costs will only continue for partially or fully obligated projects[2].
History
- This story does not have any previous versions.