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The speaker addressed concerns about hurricane season preparedness, asking about support levels given workforce reductions and the administrator's past comments. The response stated that FEMA and its leadership are taking hurricane season seriously, despite reports based on jokes and leaks. The president is committed to ensuring federal resources are available but wants states to be responsible with their own tax dollars first. He will carefully consider requests for federal aid. The speaker criticized media reporting as sloppy and irresponsible, emphasizing the president's commitment, citing his visits to North Carolina and California after natural disasters. The speaker declined to comment on the appropriateness of hurricane season, calling it serious business.

American citizens are struggling to access aid for housing and food, while those here illegally receive immediate support from FEMA. The priority should be to assist American citizens first during emergencies. There should be fairness in how services are distributed. The inequity is evident when individuals who entered the country illegally receive benefits more easily than citizens seeking disaster relief. This situation fuels misinformation and perceptions of incompetence within FEMA. Despite claims that the agency prioritizes American citizens, the processes in place suggest otherwise, leading to frustration and a sense of failure in the agency's focus.

I will sign an executive order to reform or potentially eliminate FEMA. FEMA has proven ineffective in disaster response, often complicating matters instead of helping. When crises occur, it's better for states, regardless of political affiliation, to manage the situation directly rather than relying on FEMA, which lacks local knowledge and often imposes unfamiliar rules. Historical examples from Louisiana and Texas show that states are more capable of handling these challenges. Therefore, we propose that FEMA be replaced, allowing for direct funding to states to manage disaster response effectively.

FEMA has been effective in deploying resources for disaster relief, operating a large center with extended hours. However, challenges arise when coordinating efforts across states, especially when local agencies have different approaches. While California has a large population and resources, the organization of aid can be problematic. Past disasters, like in North Carolina, saw success through collaboration among states. FEMA's processes can be slow, requiring numerous permits, which delays recovery. It’s suggested that local authorities should expedite permits to allow residents to rebuild quickly without bureaucratic delays.

I will close the Department of Education in Washington, D.C., and return all education responsibilities to the states. States can manage education better than the federal government, as evidenced by our poor performance compared to other countries. We will eliminate federal oversight and close down the department, as many within it do not prioritize the well-being of our children. Education should be handled at the state level for improved outcomes. Thank you.

Kamala Harris turned FEMA into an illegal alien resettlement agency, which caused Americans in North Carolina to be left to die during a disaster. FEMA's manpower, dollars, resources, and mental energy were spent learning how to get illegal aliens into the country. Therefore, when disaster struck, FEMA was not ready, prepared, capable, or caring. The speaker claims that helicopters and military assistance were not sent to help American citizens, including babies and children. However, the speaker asserts that if the victims had been living in a foreign country like Haiti or Venezuela, Kamala Harris would have sent help immediately. The speaker describes this as a betrayal.

We signed an executive order to reform or possibly eliminate FEMA. FEMA has proven ineffective in disaster response, often complicating recovery efforts. When disasters strike, it's more efficient for states, regardless of political affiliation, to manage the situation directly rather than relying on FEMA, which lacks local knowledge and imposes unfamiliar rules. Historically, states have been the ones to effectively handle disasters, as seen in Louisiana and Texas. We propose that states receive direct funding to manage disaster recovery, leading to better outcomes.

To reduce the size of government, I plan a 75% reduction in federal employees during my first term, with 50% cut in the first year. This includes shutting down agencies like the FBI, IRS, ATF, CDC, and Department of Education. Reviving the integrity of our constitutional republic requires this action. If elected president, I believe in term limits for bureaucrats, just as I would have a limit on my own term. As a CEO, I know that if employees can't be fired, they don't truly work for you. This approach will ensure accountability and efficiency in government.

Mister President, FEMA has effectively deployed thousands of personnel to assist us, operating a large center from 9 AM to 8 PM. However, managing such a vast disaster requires coordination. While California has a large population, the challenge lies in organizing resources effectively. FEMA's approach can lead to conflicts with local teams, and their processes can be slow and costly. Instead of relying solely on FEMA, we should expedite local permits to allow residents to rebuild quickly. Many individuals may struggle to finance their homes, and not everyone has the cash to rebuild after a disaster.

I will demand the resignations of all senior military officials involved in the Afghanistan disaster. I expect these resignations on my desk by inauguration day. This situation has severely damaged our country's reputation, and it is unacceptable. This house cleaning will send a clear message to the world and the American military that accountability for failure and incompetence is necessary.

President Biden requested $98 billion in emergency funding for recent natural disasters, Hurricanes Helene and Milton. These storms caused over 200 deaths and extensive damage. FEMA's disaster relief fund has only $5 billion remaining. Without additional funding, FEMA will soon be limited to immediate needs, impacting rebuilding efforts in affected communities, particularly smaller and rural ones. FEMA has already provided over $1.6 billion in individual assistance and $1.3 billion in public assistance to nearly a million households. Helene and Milton's recovery costs are projected to exceed $50 billion each and will span years, surpassing all previous disasters this decade except Hurricane Maria.

I'm committed to giving you more than any president before. We will streamline the permitting process; just coordinate with your state officials. The federal government is usually slower, but you already have the necessary permits. Brad, focus on getting those permits quickly. I plan to appoint Rick to represent me as we decide on the best approach, whether an individual or a commission. A strong individual is often more effective than a commission, which can get bogged down. It was an honor to meet your firefighters and police; they are brave and well-respected. I look forward to returning and supporting your cleanup efforts starting tomorrow at noon. Thank you all for your hard work.

Moments of crisis require leaders to put politics aside and prioritize the people. Playing political games during emergencies is irresponsible, selfish, and violates the oath to serve the people. The speaker is in contact with FEMA, the president, and state agencies to support local communities. Kamala Harris's claim that the speaker's focus on Florida is selfish is delusional, as she has never contributed to storm efforts during her vice presidency. The speaker is in contact with the president and FEMA, managing state agencies, and supporting local governments. The speaker has worked well with both Presidents Trump and Biden during storms. Harris is politicizing the storm to gain an edge due to her struggling campaign. The speaker is focused on saving lives and protecting homes, not engaging in political games. Harris is being selfish by interfering when things are running smoothly.

Speaker 0 questions Speaker 1 about plans to eliminate FEMA, citing concerns about workforce dysfunction during hurricane season. Speaker 1 states President Trump believes FEMA has failed Americans and wants to eliminate it, empowering states with federal support. Speaker 0 asks for evidence of FEMA's failure, referencing FEMA's help after Superstorm Sandy. Speaker 1 claims FEMA has unpaid claims from Hurricane Katrina and other disasters, alleging the federal government picks "who wins and who loses." Speaker 0 states FEMA's office of professional responsibility found no evidence of discrimination against disaster victims based on political affiliation under the Biden administration. Speaker 0 requests evidence of FEMA's dysfunction and failures for the committee, expressing concern that the administration aims to dismantle the federal government, arguing states lack the resources to handle disasters without federal aid.

This report outlines how to cut waste, streamline bureaucracy, change procurement and personnel rules, and create a more efficient and cost-effective government. Where the report recommends action, I will act. This includes eliminating 12% of the federal workforce, merging agencies like the FBI, DEA, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, and closing hundreds of government offices outside of Washington. From day one, I committed to rooting out wasteful spending. We must systematically eliminate waste, even if it means cutting worthy programs we can't currently afford. While much action requires congressional approval, we don't need to wait. We've launched our campaign to cut waste independently because Congress hasn't acted enough. We will continue finding ways to cut waste, regardless of congressional action.

Under my administration starting in January, I aim to expedite the FEMA waiver for mobile homes in this area, providing immediate and medium-term housing solutions. The current delay is unacceptable, especially with the holiday season approaching. The argument against mobile homes in flood-prone areas overlooks the reality that much of Massachusetts is at risk of flooding. Without the waiver, people may have to relocate far away at an inconvenient time. The frustration with FEMA stems from bureaucratic inefficiencies rather than malice. We need a government that responds swiftly to the needs of its citizens, particularly in Western North Carolina.

Last week, I appointed Bob Fenton, a top emergency manager, to lead the long-term recovery efforts on Maui. He has been on the ground since before the fires started and will ensure that the community receives all the support the federal government can provide to heal and rebuild quickly. I will receive a virtual report from him on Maui after this meeting. Our goal is to restore the island to its previous state, but even better.

Do not give supplies to FEMA for Hurricane Helene survivors. FEMA is not doing what they are supposed to be doing and doesn't care about people. They are not helping people, but taking supplies and giving them to people who don't need them or running off with them. Donate supplies to a church or nonprofit instead. FEMA has been knocking on doors, not offering help, just asking what's going on.

We need to reduce government size, particularly within the FBI, which has expanded unnecessarily. The FBI's intel operations have caused significant issues, and I would repurpose the Hoover building into a museum while reallocating its 7,000 employees to focus on law enforcement, tackling crime directly. Government reform is essential, and collaboration with Congress is necessary to eliminate redundant positions. During my time as deputy DNI, we identified and cut unnecessary roles, which Congress appreciated as it saved money. Agencies often request more positions without justification, leading to unfilled roles and wasted budgets. It's a misconception that agencies can't return unused funds; they often spend unnecessarily to avoid returning money to Congress.

FEMA denied assistance to families affected by a mudslide and house flooding. An elderly man's truck, his only vehicle, was buried in mud. FEMA turned down everyone in the area, providing no assistance. The government is not there for the people.

As governor during Hurricane Harvey, Speaker 1 claims to have never seen a response as quick or effective as the Trump administration's response to this storm. The speaker says Trump immediately granted a request for help. According to the speaker, no one has been as actively hands-on and swiftly delivering results. The speaker states that the response by President Trump is the swiftest to surge people who have experienced dealing with challenges like this. When Commissioner Dome was present, she made a phone call to serve the federal administration by the state of Texas. The state and federal levels have combined resources to cover every square inch of the land. The speaker says they have air and ground resources and are thankful for the Trump administration. Other governors have offered their own search and rescue teams to assist this effort.

Natural disasters attract unauthorized individuals who attempt to loot, and these people should be sent back immediately. This action would improve the overall situation, including immigration issues. Accountability is crucial; I have the authority to suspend officials who neglect their duties, which I have done in the past. We must eliminate incentives for illegal immigration, and we successfully enacted E-Verify, creating one of the strongest immigration laws in 2023. However, there's still a concern: in 2014, legislation was passed granting in-state tuition to illegal immigrants, which rewards illegal residency.

I will sign an executive order to reform or possibly eliminate FEMA. FEMA has proven ineffective during crises, often complicating recovery efforts. When disasters occur, it's better for states to handle the situation directly rather than relying on FEMA, which lacks local knowledge and imposes unfamiliar rules. Historical examples, like those in Louisiana and Texas, show that states ultimately do the work needed. Therefore, we are considering recommending the dissolution of FEMA.

Mister President, without your help, they’ll only receive $43,000 from the federal government despite having substantial insurance. Many insurance companies have left California, making it difficult for residents to find coverage. The situation is dire, with almost no one having insurance. Insurance companies have warned California about the lack of water for fire safety, contributing to their departure. While FEMA has deployed thousands to assist, there are challenges in coordination with local efforts. California has a large population, and relying solely on local resources isn’t feasible. Other states have successfully managed disasters by collaborating and sharing resources. However, FEMA is seen as inefficient and costly, and there’s a need for better organization and management to improve disaster response.

American citizens are struggling to access essential aid while those here illegally receive immediate support, such as housing and healthcare. The priority of FEMA should be to assist American citizens first during emergencies. There is a perceived inequity in how resources are distributed, leading to concerns about misinformation regarding FEMA's efficiency and priorities. Despite claims that FEMA is focused on American citizens, the complexity of accessing disaster relief compared to the ease of accessing services for undocumented individuals raises questions about the agency's effectiveness. The expectation is for FEMA to prioritize American citizens in its response to emergencies.