Kristi Noem's incompetence matters

[struggle4progress]

3. FEMA's response to Texas flood slowed by Noem's cost controls

By Gabe Cohen and Michael Williams, CNN
6 minute read
Updated 5:05 AM EDT, Thu July 10, 2025

Washington
CNN
—
As monstrous floodwaters surged across central Texas late last week, officials at the Federal Emergency Management Agency leapt into action, preparing to deploy critical search and rescue teams and life-saving resources, like they have in countless past disasters.

But almost instantly, FEMA ran into bureaucratic obstacles, four officials inside the agency told CNN.

As CNN has previously reported, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem — whose department oversees FEMA — recently enacted a sweeping rule aimed at cutting spending: Every contract and grant over $100,000 now requires her personal sign-off before any funds can be released ...

https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/09/politics/fema-texas-flood-noem