FEMA claims effective response to Texas floods despite criticism

In early July 2025, central Texas experienced devastating floods that resulted in the loss of at least 136 lives. Following the disaster, concerns arose regarding the effectiveness and timeliness of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) response. During a House panel hearing on July 22, 2025, David Richardson, FEMA's acting administrator, defended the agency's actions by stating he could not identify any mistakes made in the response efforts. He characterized the collaboration between state and federal agencies as exemplary, highlighting that no bureaucratic delays delayed their urban search and rescue teams' deployment. Additionally, he denied reports from lawmakers about unstaffed call centers and unanswered emergency calls after the floods. The allegations included that many calls to FEMA went without response and that contract renewals were delayed due to policy changes. Richardson contended that a vast majority of calls were answered promptly, asserting that the agency was well-prepared for such disasters. As FEMA continues to navigate criticism following this major incident, the conversations around its future remain a point of contention, particularly as President Donald Trump has previously expressed intentions to phase out federal disaster response altogether. Designed to assist in recovery and mitigate risks associated with future disasters, FEMA's role and capacity to fulfill its mission is currently under scrutiny, affecting policy discussions. With the backdrop of the Texas floods, state representatives express growing concern regarding the need for better legislative support and reformation within FEMA to enhance responsiveness and disaster management strategies.