Kim and Peters Report Finds that DHS Secretary Noem’s Review Policy Has Created Severe Delays in Delivering FEMA Disaster Assistance to Vulnerable Americans

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Andy Kim (D‑NJ), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on Disaster Management, District of Columbia, and Census, and Gary Peters (D‑MI), Ranking Member of the full committee, released a new report that found that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem’s policy of personally approving every DHS grant or contract award over $100,000 is delaying FEMA’s ability to deliver disaster assistance to vulnerable communities across the nation. Based on data in an internal tracker provided by whistleblowers, the report found that Secretary Noem’s June 2025 directive is being implemented through an ad hoc review process with no required deadlines, which has led to average delays of three weeks – and much longer delays in some cases – for decisions on critical disaster aid. The senators’ report identified at least 1,034 FEMA contracts, grants, or disaster assistance awards have been delayed or left pending, including those needed to support survivors of the fatal July 2025 flash floods in Texas and Hurricane Helene.

“Communities across our country are bearing the consequences of Kristi Noem’s failures as Secretary,” said Senator Kim. “For an administration that touts the importance of efficiency, her needless red tape is proven to have left vulnerable communities without crucial funding when they needed it most. This report is further evidence that this absurd policy must end, or more hurt will come to more Americans.”

“Secretary Noem’s policy of personally approving certain contracts is putting the safety of communities in need at risk,” said Senator Peters. “When disaster strikes, communities need critical assistance from FEMA as quickly as possible. These delays created by Secretary Noem’s directive are not only failing to make government more efficient, they are causing serious harm. The policy must end immediately.”

The report highlights 29 examples of FEMA spending requests exceeding $100,000 that were delayed or still awaiting approval, including requests related to public assistance, disaster unemployment assistance, housing inspections and temporary housing installations, and crisis counseling. These delays directly hamper FEMA’s ability to carry out its mission and provide timely support to disaster survivors. Although news reports indicate that FEMA released more than $5 billion in recovery funding over the past week, much of this funding was backlogged as a result of Secretary Noem’s approval directive, which created widespread bureaucratic gridlock and significant operational challenges.

The senators’ report also found that the directive violates the Post‑Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006, which prohibits actions that “significantly and substantially” reduce FEMA’s missions, authorities, and responsibilities. Rather than preventing waste, the directive has created new inefficiencies and hardship for communities waiting for federal assistance.

The senators are calling on Secretary Noem to immediately rescind the directive, provide Congress with a full and accurate accounting of all delays caused by the policy, and comply with PKEMRA as Congress intended. They are also urging the DHS Office of Inspector General to assess the waste, harms, and avoidable costs created by the directive and its associated delays.
Read the Full Report

Read the Executive Summary, Findings and Recommendations 

Anyone seeking to provide information to the Committee may find additional information about how to contact Ranking Member Peters’ staff here.