OKC Standard

Senator James Lankford has expressed support for President Donald J. Trump's recent Executive Order aimed at holding the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) accountable for its disaster response efforts. In a letter to the President, Lankford emphasized the need for significant reforms to improve federal disaster response.

"I write to commend your recent Executive Order establishing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Review Council. The current federal framework for responding to disasters is insufficient, and major reforms are necessary to ensure Americans are best supported in times of need," Lankford stated in his letter.

In addition to his commendation, Senator Lankford introduced four legislative bills designed to address FEMA's shortcomings. The Expediting Hazard Mitigation Assistance Projects Act aims to streamline environmental and historic preservation reviews by granting authority to the FEMA Administrator. Another bill, the Direct Property Acquisitions Act, proposes a pilot program allowing communities to directly apply for property acquisitions, reducing delays.

Lankford has also partnered with Senator Peter Welch on the Investing in Community Resilience Act, which encourages communities to implement resilience measures before disasters occur. Furthermore, he has proposed the Stopping Political Discrimination in Disaster Assistance Act, which seeks to prevent discrimination based on political affiliation in federal disaster relief efforts. This bill is co-sponsored by Senators Roger Marshall, Rick Scott, Ted Budd, Josh Hawley, Marsha Blackburn, and Thom Tillis.

The letter further urged that feedback be gathered from leaders experienced in disaster recovery efforts. Highlighting Oklahoma's frequent encounters with natural disasters and its community-driven recovery initiatives, Lankford requested input from emergency management leaders within his state.