Fact Check: "During congressional questioning, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem declined to confirm the release of FEMA funds already obligated to Puerto Rico, acknowledging that FEMA had failed to meet its commitments to the territory."
What We Know
During a congressional hearing on May 21, 2025, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem defended the Trump administration's budget request, which included significant cuts to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and proposed a $646 million reduction in disaster aid programs. Lawmakers expressed concern over these cuts, particularly in light of ongoing recovery efforts in Puerto Rico following recent hurricanes and other natural disasters (Ponpa, 2025).
While Noem did not explicitly confirm the release of FEMA funds obligated to Puerto Rico, she emphasized a shift in responsibility to state emergency management and suggested that FEMA's current structure was "broken" (Ponpa, 2025). This implies a lack of commitment to the existing obligations, which has led to interpretations that she acknowledged FEMA's failures in meeting its commitments to the territory.
Analysis
The claim that Noem declined to confirm the release of FEMA funds is supported by her testimony, where she faced bipartisan criticism regarding the proposed budget cuts. Lawmakers questioned the rationale behind reducing FEMA's funding while also highlighting the agency's critical role in disaster response (Ponpa, 2025). However, the specific wording of the claim—suggesting she "acknowledged that FEMA had failed to meet its commitments"—is more nuanced.
Noem's statements indicated a broader critique of FEMA's operational effectiveness rather than a direct admission of failure regarding Puerto Rico specifically. She argued for a systemic change in how disaster response is managed, suggesting that states should take on more responsibility (Ponpa, 2025). This indicates a shift in policy rather than a straightforward acknowledgment of unmet commitments.
The sources used to evaluate this claim include a news article that summarizes the congressional hearing and Noem's statements (Ponpa, 2025), as well as her formal testimony (source-3). Both sources are credible, with the first being a journalistic account of the hearing and the second being an official record of her statements.
Conclusion
The claim is Partially True. While Noem did not confirm the release of FEMA funds and her comments suggested a lack of commitment to existing obligations, she did not explicitly state that FEMA had failed in its commitments to Puerto Rico. Instead, her testimony reflected a broader critique of FEMA's operational structure and a push for state-level management of disaster responses. Thus, the interpretation of her statements requires careful consideration of context and intent.
Sources
- Lawmakers challenge Homeland Security Secretary Noem over budget request, FEMA cuts by Angeles Ponpa | May 21, 2025 | Medill News Service
- Testimony of KRISTI NOEM SECRETARY U.S. | May 6, 2025 | House of Representatives
- Federal Emergency Management Agency | Wikipedia
