The record-breaking partial government shutdown is depleting federal disaster preparedness stockpiles, threatening the government’s ability to respond to current crises or prepare for the next ones.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency said Wednesday it plans to prioritize lifesaving operations and pause anything that doesn’t fall in that category as its disaster response funding runs dry.
“While FEMA will continue lifesaving and life-sustaining support, recovery efforts may be delayed until funding is restored,” Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in a statement. “Americans deserve better. Funding for DHS must be replenished as soon as possible.”
The Disaster Relief Fund’s inability to ...