Representative from hurricane-hit region says FEMA needs to be ‘completely revamped’

Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., takes aim Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)argues that its recent response to multiple deadly storms shows the agency needs a “complete revamp.”

“The No. 1 thing that discredits FEMA is that so many citizens are denied the first time they apply through the FEMA portal. And if they have to go through congressional offices to get help… if that happens, if there’s going to be a protocol for our citizens to get help from the emergency management agency, it’s completely it needs to be renewed,” Donalds said at a House Oversight Committee hearing on FEMA on Tuesday.

Donalds’ comments came during questioning of FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, who was harassed by Republican members of the Oversight Committee for her response to FEMA’s response to the recent storms and accusations that the agency discriminated against FEMA’s supporters. President-elect Trump.

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Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., took aim at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), arguing that its recent response to multiple deadly storms shows the agency needs a “complete revamp.” (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

FEMA has been under fire for the agency’s response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which reached the southeastern U.S. earlier this year and caused widespread destruction in many states.

While the agency’s overall performance during its response to the two storms has been the focus of controversy, Oversight Committee members have repeatedly asked Criswell to respond to possible “systemic bias” against Trump supporters.

The questions came after Marn, the fired FEMA worker, told Washington that aid workers should stay away from homes with signs supporting Trump during the agency’s cleanup and recovery efforts. After Hurricane MiltonOne incident Criswell insisted was isolated in multiple responses during the trial.

Oversight Committee members repeatedly asked Criswell to respond to potential “systemic bias” against Trump supporters. (Andrew Harnik/Associated Press)

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“There is nothing in any of our policies, training, or information we send out to field workers that would suggest staying away from any home for any reason, especially a political affiliation,” Criswell said in response to Donalds’ questions. he said. “The actions of this one person are not representative of the work we do at FEMA.”

But Donalds whose territory Hard blow to MiltonHe said he had “a problem” with the response, pointing to a New York Post report featuring an unnamed FEMA employee who claimed such discrimination based on political affiliation was “an open secret” for FEMA.

Criswell argued that the incident in question was being investigated by FEMA and that the investigation into whether such problems are more common is still ongoing, which led to Donalds’ harsher response.

FEMA has been under fire for the agency’s response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which reached the southeastern U.S. earlier this year and caused widespread destruction in many states. (Julio Cortez/Associated Press)

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“You told me at the beginning of the questioning that there was nothing in your policies that required this to occur, but you had an official who was fired say this did occur. You have another official under your authority… speaking out to the press that this occurred, but you cannot confirm to this committee whether these practices occurred,” Donalds said.

FEMA did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.