Press Releases

Trump Administration Attempts to Eliminate FEMA, Jeopardizing Drone Technology Deployment In Emergency Management

WASHINGTON, DC — During a House Homeland Security Committee hearing, Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) sounded the alarm about ongoing attempts to undermine Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) preparedness and recovery missions, which include the ability of agencies to utilize drones in the wake of disasters, and warned of consequences to public safety should the Trump Administration undercut these capabilities.

(Congressman Kennedy during the hearing titled “Exploring the Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Across the DHS Enterprise.”)

“Reportedly, Secretary Noem is in active discussions with FEMA leadership about dismantling the agency by October 1 – a reckless move that could leave millions of Americans vulnerable to the impacts of natural disasters like hurricanes, winter storms, wildfires, tornadoes, and floods – and without any federal assistance,” said Congressman Kennedy, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology. “It is deeply concerning that today’s hearing isn’t solely focused on holding this Administration accountable for its plans to dismantle the only federal agency solely dedicated to assisting Americans in the aftermath of disasters.”

Congressman Kennedy continued by highlighting the local impacts of President Trump’s action, saying, “the administration’s freeze on federal grants, which is being carried out in violation of court orders, has left communities and first responders unable to secure the vital funding needed for acquiring and deploying drone technology…This has significantly hampered local agencies' ability to acquire critical technologies like drones. This is especially impactful for Western New York, where emergency services—law enforcement, fire departments, and other agencies—rely on federal grant funding to deploy drone technologies in disaster response. First responders in my community rely on drones for critical missions. For instance, late last year, Buffalo Police used drones during extremely cold temperatures to locate and rescue a man who had become disoriented in the snow, bringing him to safety.”

See Congressman Kennedy’s opening remarks here.

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Trump Administration Attempts to Eliminate FEMA, Jeopardizing Drone Technology Deployment In Emergency Management

WASHINGTON, DC — During a House Homeland Security Committee hearing, Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) sounded the alarm about ongoing attempts to undermine Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) preparedness and recovery missions, which include the ability of agencies to utilize drones in the wake of disasters, and warned of consequences to public safety should the Trump Administration undercut these capabilities.

(Congressman Kennedy during the hearing titled “Exploring the Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Across the DHS Enterprise.”)

“Reportedly, Secretary Noem is in active discussions with FEMA leadership about dismantling the agency by October 1 – a reckless move that could leave millions of Americans vulnerable to the impacts of natural disasters like hurricanes, winter storms, wildfires, tornadoes, and floods – and without any federal assistance,” said Congressman Kennedy, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology. “It is deeply concerning that today’s hearing isn’t solely focused on holding this Administration accountable for its plans to dismantle the only federal agency solely dedicated to assisting Americans in the aftermath of disasters.”

Congressman Kennedy continued by highlighting the local impacts of President Trump’s action, saying, “the administration’s freeze on federal grants, which is being carried out in violation of court orders, has left communities and first responders unable to secure the vital funding needed for acquiring and deploying drone technology…This has significantly hampered local agencies' ability to acquire critical technologies like drones. This is especially impactful for Western New York, where emergency services—law enforcement, fire departments, and other agencies—rely on federal grant funding to deploy drone technologies in disaster response. First responders in my community rely on drones for critical missions. For instance, late last year, Buffalo Police used drones during extremely cold temperatures to locate and rescue a man who had become disoriented in the snow, bringing him to safety.”

See Congressman Kennedy’s opening remarks here.

###

Trump Administration Attempts to Eliminate FEMA, Jeopardizing Drone Technology Deployment In Emergency Management

WASHINGTON, DC — During a House Homeland Security Committee hearing, Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) sounded the alarm about ongoing attempts to undermine Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) preparedness and recovery missions, which include the ability of agencies to utilize drones in the wake of disasters, and warned of consequences to public safety should the Trump Administration undercut these capabilities.

(Congressman Kennedy during the hearing titled “Exploring the Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Across the DHS Enterprise.”)

“Reportedly, Secretary Noem is in active discussions with FEMA leadership about dismantling the agency by October 1 – a reckless move that could leave millions of Americans vulnerable to the impacts of natural disasters like hurricanes, winter storms, wildfires, tornadoes, and floods – and without any federal assistance,” said Congressman Kennedy, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology. “It is deeply concerning that today’s hearing isn’t solely focused on holding this Administration accountable for its plans to dismantle the only federal agency solely dedicated to assisting Americans in the aftermath of disasters.”

Congressman Kennedy continued by highlighting the local impacts of President Trump’s action, saying, “the administration’s freeze on federal grants, which is being carried out in violation of court orders, has left communities and first responders unable to secure the vital funding needed for acquiring and deploying drone technology…This has significantly hampered local agencies' ability to acquire critical technologies like drones. This is especially impactful for Western New York, where emergency services—law enforcement, fire departments, and other agencies—rely on federal grant funding to deploy drone technologies in disaster response. First responders in my community rely on drones for critical missions. For instance, late last year, Buffalo Police used drones during extremely cold temperatures to locate and rescue a man who had become disoriented in the snow, bringing him to safety.”

See Congressman Kennedy’s opening remarks here.

###

Trump Administration Attempts to Eliminate FEMA, Jeopardizing Drone Technology Deployment In Emergency Management

WASHINGTON, DC — During a House Homeland Security Committee hearing, Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) sounded the alarm about ongoing attempts to undermine Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) preparedness and recovery missions, which include the ability of agencies to utilize drones in the wake of disasters, and warned of consequences to public safety should the Trump Administration undercut these capabilities.

(Congressman Kennedy during the hearing titled “Exploring the Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Across the DHS Enterprise.”)

“Reportedly, Secretary Noem is in active discussions with FEMA leadership about dismantling the agency by October 1 – a reckless move that could leave millions of Americans vulnerable to the impacts of natural disasters like hurricanes, winter storms, wildfires, tornadoes, and floods – and without any federal assistance,” said Congressman Kennedy, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology. “It is deeply concerning that today’s hearing isn’t solely focused on holding this Administration accountable for its plans to dismantle the only federal agency solely dedicated to assisting Americans in the aftermath of disasters.”

Congressman Kennedy continued by highlighting the local impacts of President Trump’s action, saying, “the administration’s freeze on federal grants, which is being carried out in violation of court orders, has left communities and first responders unable to secure the vital funding needed for acquiring and deploying drone technology…This has significantly hampered local agencies' ability to acquire critical technologies like drones. This is especially impactful for Western New York, where emergency services—law enforcement, fire departments, and other agencies—rely on federal grant funding to deploy drone technologies in disaster response. First responders in my community rely on drones for critical missions. For instance, late last year, Buffalo Police used drones during extremely cold temperatures to locate and rescue a man who had become disoriented in the snow, bringing him to safety.”

See Congressman Kennedy’s opening remarks here.

###

Trump Administration Attempts to Eliminate FEMA, Jeopardizing Drone Technology Deployment In Emergency Management

WASHINGTON, DC — During a House Homeland Security Committee hearing, Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) sounded the alarm about ongoing attempts to undermine Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) preparedness and recovery missions, which include the ability of agencies to utilize drones in the wake of disasters, and warned of consequences to public safety should the Trump Administration undercut these capabilities.

(Congressman Kennedy during the hearing titled “Exploring the Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Across the DHS Enterprise.”)

“Reportedly, Secretary Noem is in active discussions with FEMA leadership about dismantling the agency by October 1 – a reckless move that could leave millions of Americans vulnerable to the impacts of natural disasters like hurricanes, winter storms, wildfires, tornadoes, and floods – and without any federal assistance,” said Congressman Kennedy, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology. “It is deeply concerning that today’s hearing isn’t solely focused on holding this Administration accountable for its plans to dismantle the only federal agency solely dedicated to assisting Americans in the aftermath of disasters.”

Congressman Kennedy continued by highlighting the local impacts of President Trump’s action, saying, “the administration’s freeze on federal grants, which is being carried out in violation of court orders, has left communities and first responders unable to secure the vital funding needed for acquiring and deploying drone technology…This has significantly hampered local agencies' ability to acquire critical technologies like drones. This is especially impactful for Western New York, where emergency services—law enforcement, fire departments, and other agencies—rely on federal grant funding to deploy drone technologies in disaster response. First responders in my community rely on drones for critical missions. For instance, late last year, Buffalo Police used drones during extremely cold temperatures to locate and rescue a man who had become disoriented in the snow, bringing him to safety.”

See Congressman Kennedy’s opening remarks here.

###

Trump Administration Attempts to Eliminate FEMA, Jeopardizing Drone Technology Deployment In Emergency Management

WASHINGTON, DC — During a House Homeland Security Committee hearing, Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) sounded the alarm about ongoing attempts to undermine Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) preparedness and recovery missions, which include the ability of agencies to utilize drones in the wake of disasters, and warned of consequences to public safety should the Trump Administration undercut these capabilities.

(Congressman Kennedy during the hearing titled “Exploring the Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Across the DHS Enterprise.”)

“Reportedly, Secretary Noem is in active discussions with FEMA leadership about dismantling the agency by October 1 – a reckless move that could leave millions of Americans vulnerable to the impacts of natural disasters like hurricanes, winter storms, wildfires, tornadoes, and floods – and without any federal assistance,” said Congressman Kennedy, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology. “It is deeply concerning that today’s hearing isn’t solely focused on holding this Administration accountable for its plans to dismantle the only federal agency solely dedicated to assisting Americans in the aftermath of disasters.”

Congressman Kennedy continued by highlighting the local impacts of President Trump’s action, saying, “the administration’s freeze on federal grants, which is being carried out in violation of court orders, has left communities and first responders unable to secure the vital funding needed for acquiring and deploying drone technology…This has significantly hampered local agencies' ability to acquire critical technologies like drones. This is especially impactful for Western New York, where emergency services—law enforcement, fire departments, and other agencies—rely on federal grant funding to deploy drone technologies in disaster response. First responders in my community rely on drones for critical missions. For instance, late last year, Buffalo Police used drones during extremely cold temperatures to locate and rescue a man who had become disoriented in the snow, bringing him to safety.”

See Congressman Kennedy’s opening remarks here.

###

Trump Administration Attempts to Eliminate FEMA, Jeopardizing Drone Technology Deployment In Emergency Management

WASHINGTON, DC — During a House Homeland Security Committee hearing, Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) sounded the alarm about ongoing attempts to undermine Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) preparedness and recovery missions, which include the ability of agencies to utilize drones in the wake of disasters, and warned of consequences to public safety should the Trump Administration undercut these capabilities.

(Congressman Kennedy during the hearing titled “Exploring the Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Across the DHS Enterprise.”)

“Reportedly, Secretary Noem is in active discussions with FEMA leadership about dismantling the agency by October 1 – a reckless move that could leave millions of Americans vulnerable to the impacts of natural disasters like hurricanes, winter storms, wildfires, tornadoes, and floods – and without any federal assistance,” said Congressman Kennedy, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology. “It is deeply concerning that today’s hearing isn’t solely focused on holding this Administration accountable for its plans to dismantle the only federal agency solely dedicated to assisting Americans in the aftermath of disasters.”

Congressman Kennedy continued by highlighting the local impacts of President Trump’s action, saying, “the administration’s freeze on federal grants, which is being carried out in violation of court orders, has left communities and first responders unable to secure the vital funding needed for acquiring and deploying drone technology…This has significantly hampered local agencies' ability to acquire critical technologies like drones. This is especially impactful for Western New York, where emergency services—law enforcement, fire departments, and other agencies—rely on federal grant funding to deploy drone technologies in disaster response. First responders in my community rely on drones for critical missions. For instance, late last year, Buffalo Police used drones during extremely cold temperatures to locate and rescue a man who had become disoriented in the snow, bringing him to safety.”

See Congressman Kennedy’s opening remarks here.

###

Trump Administration Attempts to Eliminate FEMA, Jeopardizing Drone Technology Deployment In Emergency Management

WASHINGTON, DC — During a House Homeland Security Committee hearing, Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) sounded the alarm about ongoing attempts to undermine Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) preparedness and recovery missions, which include the ability of agencies to utilize drones in the wake of disasters, and warned of consequences to public safety should the Trump Administration undercut these capabilities.

(Congressman Kennedy during the hearing titled “Exploring the Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Across the DHS Enterprise.”)

“Reportedly, Secretary Noem is in active discussions with FEMA leadership about dismantling the agency by October 1 – a reckless move that could leave millions of Americans vulnerable to the impacts of natural disasters like hurricanes, winter storms, wildfires, tornadoes, and floods – and without any federal assistance,” said Congressman Kennedy, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology. “It is deeply concerning that today’s hearing isn’t solely focused on holding this Administration accountable for its plans to dismantle the only federal agency solely dedicated to assisting Americans in the aftermath of disasters.”

Congressman Kennedy continued by highlighting the local impacts of President Trump’s action, saying, “the administration’s freeze on federal grants, which is being carried out in violation of court orders, has left communities and first responders unable to secure the vital funding needed for acquiring and deploying drone technology…This has significantly hampered local agencies' ability to acquire critical technologies like drones. This is especially impactful for Western New York, where emergency services—law enforcement, fire departments, and other agencies—rely on federal grant funding to deploy drone technologies in disaster response. First responders in my community rely on drones for critical missions. For instance, late last year, Buffalo Police used drones during extremely cold temperatures to locate and rescue a man who had become disoriented in the snow, bringing him to safety.”

See Congressman Kennedy’s opening remarks here.

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