Cole Introduces Legislation to Establish FEMA as an Independent Agency
WASHINGTON - U.S. Congressman Tom Cole (OK-4) introduced legislation yesterday to re-establish the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as an independent agency. Cole's bill, H.R. 6147, is titled the "Federal Emergency Management Advancement Act of 2008" or the "FEMA Act."
"It is high time that FEMA is given the authority to act as an independent agency once again," Congressman Cole said. "Placing FEMA under the Department of Homeland Security has only created more red-tape and bureaucracy for an agency that is charged with the responsibility of reacting immediately during an emergency. We need to restore FEMA's authority to act as quickly as possible when disaster strikes."
"Oklahoma has suffered repeatedly at the hands of the FEMA bureaucracy since it was brought under the umbrella of the Department of Homeland Security. Whether it's been wildfires, floods, ice storms or tornados, the Homeland Security controlled FEMA has been slow to react and its officials have made some inexplicable decisions regarding aid to our communities and our neighbors."
"Oklahoma has the fourth highest total number of disasters declared in the country, following the much larger states of Texas, California and Florida. I can no longer stand by in good conscience while FEMA bureaucrats in Washington ignore the very legitimate needs of Oklahoma. By restoring their independence we will also restore authority to those who direct FEMA on the ground and in the midst of the disasters. They see the damage and suffering first-hand. You just can't do that sitting behind a desk in Washington D.C."
Cole's bill serves as a House companion to legislation introduced by Senator Inhofe. Both Cole and Inhofe have called for FEMA to be independent and removed out from under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
According to the FEMA web site, Oklahoma has had three major disaster declarations and two fire management assistance declarations so far in 2008. In 2007, Oklahoma had seven major disaster declarations and two emergency declarations. Also, according to FEMA's online records, Oklahoma has had 57 disasters declared since 1955. That number places Oklahoma as number four in a ranking of states that have had the most disasters declared. Oklahoma is also the only non-coastal state to be in the top five.
According to this legislation, FEMA will once again be an independent agency responsible for serving, protecting and preparing the country's recovery efforts regarding natural disasters, acts of terrorism and man-made disasters. The bill also calls for an independent FEMA to be headed by an agency director and deputy director. According to the bill, the director will be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate and report to the President as his chief advisor on issues relating to emergency management in the United States.
The modern equivalent of FEMA was established by an executive order issued by President Carter in 1979. For the next quarter century, FEMA acted as an independent agency of the United States government. After the September 11, 2001 attacks, Congress approved the Homeland Security Act of 2002. The Act established DHS, a department responsible for coordinating disaster recovery and preparation plans with different federal agencies as well as in charge of building up civil defense and border protection. FEMA was incorporated into DHS in 2003.
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