Federal Grant Confusion Undermines State Disaster Readiness and National Security

As natural disasters grow fiercer and new threats like cyberattacks loom large, America's frontline defenders—the state emergency management agencies—are being hamstrung by Washington’s shifting federal policies. Sudden, unprecedented rules on population counts, steep funding cuts, and bureaucratic delays are not just frustrating state officials; they are putting American lives at risk. Why Are Vital Federal Grants Suddenly in Limbo? The Department of Homeland Security and FEMA recently introduced stringent requirements demanding states revise their population figures by excluding certain groups under immigration laws before releasing critical Emergency Management Performance Grants. This abrupt change is bewildering to those responsible for disaster...