Comment Submitted by The Union of Concerned Scientists
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Summary: The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) opposes the FEMA review council's final report, arguing that it ignores climate science and attempts to shift the burden of disaster response and funding onto state, local, tribal, and territorial governments. They specifically criticize recommendations to reduce federal oversight, privatize flood insurance, and consolidate individual assistance programs, which they argue would harm vulnerable communities.
Dear Secretary Mullin, Secretary Hegseth, Senior Official Performing the Duties of FEMA Administrator Fenton, and Nominee for FEMA Administrator Hamilton:
On behalf of the Union of Concerned Scientists’ (UCS) 500,000 members and supporters and roughly 65,000 fellow scientists, economists, engineers, public health specialists, and other technical experts in the UCS Science Network, we provide the following comments on the FEMA review council’s final report. UCS is a national non-profit organization that puts science into action to build a healthier planet, a safer world, and a more equitable society. UCS’s comments are organized into the following categories: overarching comments; the FEMA review council, process and report content; and UCS comments on the FEMA review council report recommendations. Please find our comment letter attached.
Sincerely,
Shana Udvardy
Senior Climate Resilience Policy Analyst