Senator Thom Tillis Criticizes Proposals to Dismantle FEMA

Criticism of FEMA Dismantlement

• ⚠️ Senator Thom Tillis strongly criticizes proposals to dismantle FEMA, stating that advisors recommending such actions are "clearly out of their depth" on disaster response.
• 💡 He highlights that storms do not respect state and county jurisdictions, making a coordinated federal response essential.
• 🎯 The federal government must serve as the convening authority in disaster management, a role FEMA has historically fulfilled since its inception.

State vs. Federal Disaster Management

• ❓ Tillis questions the effectiveness of states managing major disasters independently, using the analogy of states having to "get together and do paper scissors rock" for regional impacts.
• 🤝 While acknowledging recommendations to modernize FEMA and shift some responsibilities, he insists the federal government's role is non-negotiable.
• 🚫 He argues that a coordinated response to major storms is impossible if it becomes a "pickup game by states."

Response to Presidential Criticism

• 🗣️ Tillis addresses President Trump's criticism, who claimed Tillis "hurt the great people of North Carolina" and that "nothing was done to help until I took office."
• 📍 Tillis invites the President to visit Western North Carolina to gauge the local perception of his disaster relief efforts.
• ✈️ He notes his own involvement, including advising the Trump campaign against landing in Asheville during a critical evacuation period.