commits to supporting a stable, adequately resourced FEMA workforce
Support a stable, adequately resourced FEMA workforce.
Occurrences
Evidence
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The letter says Thompson and Kennedy urged DHS and FEMA to release withheld disaster relief funding, restore critical hurricane-related contracts, reverse workforce reductions, and fill vacant leadership positions. It says FEMA has lost more than 5,000 employees since January 2025 and has nearly half of its top 38 leadership positions vacant.
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Thompson said Americans need a stronger, fully staffed FEMA and stated that under Trump, FEMA has lost thousands of employees and has numerous leadership vacancies. He said he will oppose any effort to weaken FEMA’s mission or shift federal disaster responsibilities to states and local communities.
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Thompson said Congress will finally be able to fund vital DHS agencies and pay the men and women who serve the country after passage of the bipartisan DHS funding bill, following a shutdown that left personnel unpaid and jeopardized operations.
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The members wrote DHS about a FEMA contractor who was reportedly paid a very high salary while undermining FEMA’s ability to help the public. The letter reflects continuing oversight pressure on FEMA management and staffing decisions.
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Thompson and Rep. Tim Kennedy asked GAO to investigate FEMA’s disaster declaration process, warning that recent denials of disaster aid may be becoming politically driven rather than based on objective need. They sought review of FEMA recommendations from 2016-2026 and asked whether rural and underserved communities are being fairly evaluated.
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Thompson and Kennedy demanded answers from FEMA about changes to the BRIC mitigation grant program, saying the new funding notice makes it harder for rural, Tribal, and low-income communities to access disaster mitigation money. They requested a FEMA briefing by June 5, 2026, and urged the agency to rescind or substantially revise the notice.
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H.Res. 1035 was submitted by Mr. Thompson of Mississippi and states that FEMA's mission depends on a stable, efficiently managed, and adequately resourced workforce. The resolution condemns current and proposed FEMA workforce reductions and commits to supporting a stable, adequately resourced FEMA workforce for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
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After GAO reported FEMA workforce reductions and lack of planning, Thompson said the administration must reverse FEMA workforce cuts and that he saw no meaningful progress without permanent leadership, workforce analysis, or strategic direction. The committee release says Democrats continue pressing to rebuild FEMA's workforce and restore disaster response capabilities.
Assessments
The promise was framed as supporting a stable, adequately resourced FEMA workforce, not necessarily single-handedly achieving full FEMA workforce restoration. In the same federal House term, Thompson introduced H.Res. 1035, whose text directly endorsed a stable, efficiently managed, adequately resourced FEMA workforce and condemned FEMA workforce reductions. He also took repeated oversight and public-pressure actions in 2026 urging DHS/FEMA to reverse workforce cuts, fill leadership vacancies, release disaster funding, and preserve FEMA capacity. These actions materially satisfy the support commitment within his role as a U.S. Representative, even though broader FEMA staffing stabilization remained contested.
The promise was to support a stable, adequately resourced FEMA workforce, not to unilaterally deliver staffing outcomes. In the same term, Thompson repeatedly and concretely backed that position through public statements, oversight letters, and pressure on DHS/FEMA to reverse workforce cuts, fill leadership vacancies, restore funding, and protect mitigation resources. As a U.S. Representative, especially from the minority, his credit is best measured by sustained legislative and oversight support rather than direct control over agency staffing levels. On that standard, the promise was delivered.
Thompson has taken concrete same-term actions consistent with the promise, including public opposition to weakening FEMA, letters urging DHS/FEMA to reverse workforce reductions, fill leadership vacancies, restore contracts, and release disaster funding, plus broader support for DHS personnel funding. However, the evidence does not show that FEMA’s workforce became stable or adequately resourced; it instead indicates continuing workforce losses and vacancies. Because his actions materially support the goal but have not delivered the promised condition, partial credit is appropriate.