Senate Report Finds Noem Review Delayed Disaster Aid for Weeks

Scrutiny of large FEMA expenditures slowed housing and employment assistance for victims of fires and storms.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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A report by Senate Democrats found that scrutiny by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem of large FEMA expenditures delayed disaster aid approval by an average of three weeks and left hundreds of projects in limbo. The report details how the review policy impacted aid for survivors of storms, fires, and floods across multiple states.

Why it matters

The delays in disaster aid approval caused serious harm to victims, violating a federal law passed after Hurricane Katrina that restricts the Department of Homeland Security from reducing FEMA's missions and responsibilities. The policy drew criticism from both Democratic and Republican senators.

The details

According to the Senate report, Noem's review of all FEMA expenses over $100,000 delayed approval by an average of three weeks. This left hundreds of projects in limbo, including disaster unemployment assistance for Florida storm victims, temporary housing for Hawaii wildfire survivors, and armed guards to protect FEMA workers in disaster zones. The report found over 1,000 contracts, grants, and other aid awards were pending as of September 2025.

  • In April 2023, survivors of severe storms and tornadoes in South Florida were still waiting for approval to continue receiving disaster unemployment assistance as of September 2025.
  • On August 4, 2025, a contract for temporary housing for survivors of the 2023 Maui wildfires in Hawaii was requested for renewal but had not been approved by September 8, 2025.
  • In the summer of 2023, it took several weeks to approve money for armed guards to protect FEMA workers in disaster zones in Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas.

The players

Kristi Noem

The homeland security secretary who implemented the policy of scrutinizing large FEMA expenditures.

Gary Peters

A Democratic senator from Michigan who called for Noem to rescind the spending review policy, saying it is causing serious harm.

Andy Kim

A Democratic senator from New Jersey who joined Peters in calling for Noem to rescind the policy and provide a full accounting of the delays.

Thom Tillis

A Republican senator from North Carolina who is retiring and has called for Noem to resign over her handling of FEMA.

Lauren Bis

A Homeland Security spokeswoman who disputed the three-week average wait time and said there are no systemic delays in disaster aid.

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What they’re saying

“These delays created by Secretary Noem's directive are not only failing to make government more efficient, they are causing serious harm. The policy must end immediately.”

— Gary Peters, Democratic senator from Michigan (New York Times)

“People are hurting in Western North Carolina from the most significant storm they've ever experienced. It begs the question: Why? Why would that be a policy?”

— Thom Tillis, Republican senator from North Carolina (New York Times)

What’s next

The senators called on Noem to rescind the policy immediately and provide Congress with a full accounting of the delays. They also called for the Homeland Security Department's inspector general to assess the potential waste and harms caused by the directive.

The takeaway

This case highlights the serious consequences of bureaucratic policies that delay critical disaster aid, even in the face of clear legal restrictions on reducing FEMA's responsibilities. It raises questions about the motivations behind the spending review and the need for greater oversight and accountability in the disaster response process.